SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – In the last 10 days, the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network has rescued more than 200 brown pelicans that need care for an unknown illness.
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On May 14 the wildlife facility received many brown pelican patients. The birds that came in appeared thin, weak, and hypothermic, according to the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network.
According to the Wildlife Care Network, multiple reports of dead pelicans have been found all over Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. The cause of the condition of these birds is still unknown and California Fish and Wildlife are investigating the situation, Lauren Gonzales Communication Manager for the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network told KCBS Radio.
The team of rescuers is out collecting sick birds and bringing them to the Wildlife Hospital in Goleta so they can receive treatment. The staff is working to provide fluids, food and medication for the birds, the facility said. The staff is currently working from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. to provide care to the birds, Gonzales added.
Wildlife rehabilitation centers in Los Angeles and the Morro Bay area are seeing a similar influx in Brown Pelicans, Gonzales said.
The Wildlife Care Network can't predict how long the birds will need care but will evaluate each one to determine if they are healthy enough to be released, she said.
Gonzales confirmed that they have received fewer birds this week and hope that they've seen the worst of it.
To help people can visit SBWCN.org to volunteer, donate and report sick birds.
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