The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network has been dealing with an avian catastrophe since May 14, with 140 frail and underweight brown pelicans arriving by truck on Wednesday, according to the Santa Barbara Independent.
According to Lauren Gonzales, communications manager at Wildlife Care Network, 70% of those pelicans have survived, with the majority of them improving their health while under Wildlife Care's supervision and care.
She explained, "We've been providing them fish, medication, and plenty of saline water. A lot of pelicans are acting more energetically now, which is usually a positive indication."
Fifty to sixty of the remaining pelicans are placed in Wildlife Care facilities, while others have been sent to partner groups like International Bird Rescue. Truckloads of sick birds continue to arrive, with no indication of stopping. They must get a comprehensive examination and blood sample upon arrival. Pelicans have been spotted and rescued in locations far from their usual habitat, including roadways, backyards, freshwater, and tennis courts; Wildlife Care Network has received over 400 calls from worried homeowners across Santa Barbara and Ventura counties since Saturday.
