Easy Bay Times, previously Contra Costa Times
February 2010
"This is a new phenomenon we're seeing. We're trying
the best we can to respond to this."
"We're working hard to find other resources to get these birds help or we
will see more birds dying," Wallerstein said. "This is a crisis and a
tragedy to the pelican population."
Rescuers are running out of room to help hundreds of emaciated and sick
California brown pelicans along the West Coast.
At least 250 brown pelicans were treated over the past month at the
International Bird Rescue Research Center in San Pedro, where the sickly
birds are kept warm by heaters and feast on a bountiful high-protein fish
diet.
"When we have enough resources to do so, these pelicans respond to good
food, clean water and warmth," said Paul Kelway, regional program manager
for the San Pedro center. "This is a new phenomenon we're seeing. We're
trying the best we can to respond to this."
About 160 pelicans are getting treatment at the bird rescue center for
starvation or frostbite, feeding on an estimated 4,000 pounds of fish each
day. Many of the pelicans are bathed to wash off contaminants that have
caused a natural protective seal to erode from their feathers.
The birds generally become healthier after seven to 10 days, then get
released back into the wild.
Other rescue groups in California and Oregon are either full or near
capacity, said Peter Wallerstein, a marine animal rescue specialist with
Friends of Animals.
"We're working hard to find other resources to get these birds help or we
will see more birds dying," Wallerstein said. "This is a crisis and a
tragedy to the pelican population."
Over the past month, Wallerstein has spotted starving pelicans lying on
roadways, along the beach and in front of homes. A long pole and net are
usually needed to capture pelicans, but the birds have become so weakened
that Wallerstein is able to walk up, grab their beaks and place them into
cages.
"They're really easy to catch right now, which is not a good thing because
it just shows how disoriented and unhealthy they are right now," Wallerstein
said.
Researchers are stumped in finding a reason for the mass starvation and
deaths among brown pelicans. The birds suffered frostbite and became
weakened during last year's migration season, likely caused by storms in
Central California.
Possible explanations for problems this year include water contamination,
the rainy El Nino season or changing ocean currents that have pushed food
farther below the surface.
"That's the million-dollar question right now," Kelway said.
"No one really know why the pelicans are not finding the food that they
normally would right now or why that protective coat is disappearing."
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