Sick Baby Pelicans Showing Up on Local Beaches - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

SANTA CRUZ, Calif - According to Central Coast wildlife group WildRescue a number of sick baby pelicans are showing up on local beaches.

The thin and weak  birds are walking up to people and are distinguishable by their brown heads compared to the white heads of adults. 

WildRescue believes the birds are a part of a natural die off of young birds. They believe it is unusual though because the brown pelican's population, once threatened to near extinction, have rebounded and scientists  are now seeing a large annual mortality that, so far, is believe to be normal.

According to WildRescue, there is a limit to the amount of resources to care for pelicans. The nearest center is hours away in Cordelia (International Bird Rescue) and they are overrun with young pelicans which cost a great deal to feed.

WildRescue advises people who come across an injured or ill looking pelican to:

1) N te the color of the head, then phone WildRescue's California  hotline to report it 1-866-WILD-911.

2) Keep people and dogs away from the birds. It is a violation of federal law to harass wild birds.

WildRescue will  rescue as many birds as resources allow, seeing to the adult birds, first.

If you want to volunteer to help rescue pelicans or help transport them, please visit WildRescue.org. We need responders in Santa Cruz, San Jose and San Francisco.

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