KCBA - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News Weather-Scientists Zero in on Causes of Stranded Brown Pelicans
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Scientific investigation indicates shortages of preferred prey items, like anchovies and sardines, and rough winter weather as primary causes for the pelican mass-stranding.
Scientists from the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center, Sea World San Diego and International Bird Rescue Research Center pooled their resources to determine why so many brown pelicans are stranding along the California and Oregon coast.
"Working collaboratively with other organizations, we have been able to quickly examine multiple causes for the stranding event, said DFG Wildlife Veterinarian Melissa Miller, in Santa Cruz. "Unfortunately, we are looking primarily at a cyclical event driven largely by weather and oceanographic conditions. Food shortage coupled with bad weather have taken a toll on the pelicans."
Mass-stranding of brown pelicans was reported along the California and Oregon coast about this time in 2009, again with widespread food shortages identified as a factor. Some stranded birds have little or no body fat stores and atypical foods in their digestive tracts. Shortages of preferred prey items could be caused in part by the current El Nino event.
Some pelicans have also had waterproofing problems with their feathers, possibly related to storm runoff from recent heavy coastal rains. Preliminary findings from postmortem examinations suggest that infectious disease and/or marine toxins are not major contributors to this event.
Live-stranded birds are responding quickly to feeding at rehabilitation facilities, although these facilities have been overwhelmed at the sheer magnitude of birds stranding along the coast. DFG is donating frozen trout to these organizations to assist with the rehabilitation effort.
When pelicans are starving and sick they may fly into or be found in unusual places, be unaware of their surroundings, tolerate human approach, or demonstrate other unusual behaviors.
If anyone sees an injured pelican or a pelican acting strangely anywhere in Monterey County, they should call The SPCA Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center at 831-373-2631 during the day or at 831-646-5534 after hours. The SPCA Wildlife Center the only full service wildlife rehabilitation center serving Monterey County.
There are now about 300 birds that have been reported sick or dead from the California-Oregon border all the way to Baja, Mexico.
The mystery illness leaving hundreds of Brown Pelicans sick and dead along the California coastline is still eluding researchers and rescuers both at a state and national level.
A mysterious illness is attacking Brown Pelicans up and down the coastline from San Diego to San Francisco.
During the string of storms that hit the Central Coast last week over 18 pelicans were found dehydrated, hungry, and very sick. However, with the help of the Monterey County SPCA, most survived.
MONTEREY, Calif. - Also being affected by the winter storms this week are pelicans. The SPCA rescued more than a dozen pelicans this week, most unable to fly or eat because of the storms. "This is a
A bird rescue group in Southern California will release recovering pelicans to make room for more of the ailing birds affected by storms and oily runoff.
MONTEREY, Calif. - Wildlife Centers in California are facing a huge problem. Sick and injured pelicans continue to show up along the coastline and some centers don't have the money or room to care for
