California brown pelicans fly off Thornehill Broome Beach close to Point Mugu, Calif., on May 16, 2021. Wildlife authorities are attempting to find out why massive numbers of California brown pelicans are being discovered sick and dying. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife says a whole bunch of the pelicans have been admitted to wildlife rehabilitation services in Southern and Central California since about May 13. Credit: AP Photo/John Antczak
Wildlife authorities are attempting to find out why massive numbers of California brown pelicans are being discovered sick and dying.
Hundreds of the pelicans, that are a protected species within the state, have been admitted to wildlife rehabilitation services in Southern and Central California since about May 13, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife mentioned in a press release.
“The pelicans have been discovered emaciated and steadily with secondary accidents or damaged wings. Many of those birds died shortly after arrival at a facility,” it mentioned.
Results of postmortem examinations and testing of pelicans delivered to rehabilitation services point out the birds are dying from starvation-related issues, and there aren’t any indications of illness or uncommon parasites.
“CDFW is unable to offer info on the underlying reason behind this occasion presently,” the division mentioned.
The brown pelicans are an essential a part of the Pacific Coast ecosystem, feeding on northern anchovy, Pacific sardine and mackerel.
Wildlife authorities urged the general public to name an area wildlife rehabilitation facility in the event that they see a sick or injured pelican, and likewise electronic mail the state Wildlife Health Laboratory. But they cautioned folks to not contact or attempt to feed the birds.
California brown pelicans fly off Thornehill Broome Beach close to Point Mugu, Calif., on May 16, 2021. Wildlife authorities are attempting to find out why massive numbers of California brown pelicans are being discovered sick and dying. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife says a whole bunch of the pelicans have been admitted to wildlife rehabilitation services in Southern and Central California since about May 13. Credit: AP Photo/John Antczak
People can use a web-based mortality reporting type once they discover a useless pelican.
The affect of the pesticide DDT, which brought on eggshell thinning, led to the itemizing of California brown pelicans as endangered beneath the federal Endangered Species Act in 1970.
After DDT was banned, the species recovered and was faraway from the U.S. endangered listing in 2009. It stays protected beneath state legislation.
Growing variety of sick and dying California brown pelicans worries animal specialists
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California investigating sick and dying brown pelicans (2022, May 27)
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