Photos: Starving, injured pelicans being treated at San Pedro bird rescue center
A surge of starving and injured California brown pelicans are flooding the International Bird Rescue Center in San Pedro.
The center — along with its Northern California counterpart — are treating the birds, many of which have fishing line and hook injuries. Center officials are asking for donations to help cover the costs. (To do so, go to birdrescue.org/donate.)
The birds are having difficulty finding fish and are being found sometimes far away from their natural coastal habitats.
A surge of injured and starving Brown Pelicans is causing concern for wildlife specialists. Since April 20, more than 110 new pelican patients have arrived at the organization’s 2 California wildlife centers. These three are recovering from their injuries in San Pedro on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
A surge of injured and starving Brown Pelicans is causing concern for wildlife specialists. Since April 20, more than 110 new pelican patients have arrived at the organization’s 2 California wildlife centers. Once the birds have recovered enough they are moved to the aviary like this chatty quartet, the final step before being released back to nature, in San Pedro on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
A surge of injured and starving Brown Pelicans is causing concern for wildlife specialists. Since April 20, more than 110 new pelican patients have arrived at the organization’s 2 California wildlife centers. Once the birds have recovered enough they are moved to the aviary like this bird in flight, the final step before being released back to nature, in San Pedro on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
A surge of injured and starving Brown Pelicans is causing concern for wildlife specialists. Since April 20, more than 110 new pelican patients have arrived at the organization’s 2 California wildlife centers. Once the birds have recovered enough they are moved to the aviary like these three, the final step before being released back to nature, in San Pedro on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
A surge of injured and starving Brown Pelicans is causing concern for wildlife specialists. Since April 20, more than 110 new pelican patients have arrived at the organization’s 2 California wildlife centers. Once the birds have recovered enough they are moved to the aviary like these three, the final step before being released back to nature, in San Pedro on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Those who fish but find a bird on their line instead are reminded not to just cut the line, as the hooks can cause serious infections and removing the hook can further injure the bird. Fishing lines wrapped around limbs also cause circulation to be cut off.
Instead, gently reel the bird in, put it in a box and bring it to the closest wildlife center, said Rebecca Duerr, the San Pedro facility’s director of research and veterinary science.
If a pelican in need of care is spotted by a member of the public, they are asked to call the organization’s helpline at 866-SOS-BIRD (866-767-2473). After hours, they should call their local animal control center.
The current pelican crisis, center officials said, is reminiscent of the May 2022 event that saw at least 350 starving brown pelicans come into care at the centers.