Two injured pelicans were released back into the wild after spending months in medical rehabilitation due to injuries and from illness. One had a hook in its broken shoulder, the other was found sick and dehydrated on Pacific Coast Highway.
But there are more hurt pelicans still being cared for, and more than 32 of them have gone to the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center of Orange County since October. Twenty-two of the pelicans died.
Many of the birds have been injured, some with hooks put into their shoulders, and other injuries targeting their wings. Because of the prevalence of injuries to their wings, which is where pelicans get their strength, officials are convinced the injuries were caused by humans.
There is a huge effort underway to find the person or people responsible for hurting the birds from San Clemente to Huntington Beach.
Anyone who has information about the pelican cases or who witnesses someone harming other wildlife can call the CalTip hotline at 888-334-2258, to report suspicious activity, or text "CALTIP," followed by a space and the message, to 847411 (tip411) and include penal code 597 in the report.