A concerning situation has emerged along the California coast as hundreds of brown pelicans are found starving and stranded, prompting wildlife advocates to label it a “crisis.”
Recent reports from Newport Beach revealed lifeguards discovering sick pelicans on a pier, with over 100 birds already treated for severe conditions like anemia, dehydration, and extreme underweight at the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach.
Debbie McGuire, the center’s executive director, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that without immediate care, these pelicans face a grim fate.
View image in fullscreenDebbie McGuire, executive director of the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center, and Newport Beach police officers prepare cages to rescue sick pelicans in Newport Beach, on 7 May. Photograph: Jae C Hong/AP
Bird Rescue, operating wildlife centers in northern and southern California, has taken in over 235 sick pelicans in the past few weeks, with 40% of them suffering injuries from fishing gear entanglement.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) confirmed a surge in malnourished brown pelicans along the coast, prompting concerns about their well-being. Wildlife rehabilitation facilities have been overwhelmed with debilitated pelicans in need of urgent care.
Dr. Rebecca Duerr, Bird Rescue’s research and veterinary science director, highlighted the critical condition of the pelicans, attributing their injuries to fishing-related incidents.
View image in fullscreenSick pelicans sit on a storage shed on the Newport Beach pier in California, on 7 May. Photograph: Jae C Hong/AP
While the exact cause of the pelicans’ distress remains unclear, experts suspect starvation-related issues despite the abundance of marine life in the area. Efforts to rescue and rehabilitate these birds are ongoing to prevent further casualties.
In a similar event in 2022, nearly 800 pelicans were admitted to wildlife care facilities, indicating a recurring concern for the species. The CDFW is actively investigating the current situation to determine the best course of action for these vulnerable birds.
With nearly 100 pelicans under their care, the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center continues to provide essential treatment to ensure the well-being of these distressed animals.
2024-05-13 14:28:52
Link from www.theguardian.com