Twelve brown pelicans that recovered from domoic acid poisoning were released at Huntington Beach on Wednesday morning.
Jarrett Davey, the volunteer coordinator at the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center, told KNX News’ Nataly Tavidian this year’s outbreak was one of the worst ever.
“This year they were affected worse than they pretty much ever have been in the past,” he said. “Animals across the board. So pelicans, pinnipeds, sea lions, and animals like that as well. So it was particularly a bad year.”
Domoic acid, produced by algae, builds up in fish and causes serious neurological damage to marine birds that eat them.
“So when they are affected by that domoic acid, it affects them neurologically,” he said. “So they'll have seizures. They can become paralyzed. It'll just make their brain behave in ways that they normally wouldn't.”
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He added that the pelicans were treated for seizures, dehydration, and malnutrition.
A crowd gathered at Tower 3 on the beach around 10 a.m. to watch the birds. Twelve of the thirteen birds flew away. Tavidian reported.
A member of the team that took care of the birds said watching them fly was “thrilling.”
“It was such a beautiful moment to witness them slowly spreading their wings and then all taking flight together,” she said.
The one that didn’t fly will be back at the center for more recovery time.
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