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The brown pelicans in Southern California are filling up wildlife rehabilitation centers either with disease or hunger, a double crisis that wildlife experts believe is associated with the blooming of large-scale toxic algae.
Last month, hundreds of seabirds were poisoned by domoic acid, a neurotoxin produced in harmful algae flowers consumed by filter-eating fish such as anchovy and sardines. Small fish are not affected by toxins, but many seabirds and marine mammals that eat these fish do, and the disease is fatal. Over the past few months, sea lions in areas with over 100 lions have been sick and killed by toxins, along with dozens of dolphins who have died.
Last month, hundreds of seabirds were poisoned by domoacid, a neurotoxin produced by harmful algae flowers. This disease is extremely fatal.
(Newt likier/Wildland and Wildlife Care Centre)
However, recently, authorities have also responded to an influx of baby pelicans, which are not diseased toxins, but have struggled to survive because they are extremely malnourished.
Authorities believe that the two phenomena are linked. As more adult pelicans become sick, confused or die, it is increasingly more and more baby pelicans dodge themselves, leaving the nest prematurely when they don’t know how to fish yet.
That’s just a theory now, but experts say it helps explain the unprecedented number of hungry baby pelicans appearing in wildlife rescue centres.
International Bird Rescue, a global conservation organization with one of the largest wildlife rescue centres in San Pedro, said on its website, “It’s rare to receive such a large amount of chicks,” and International Bird Rescue is a global conservation organization. “Many of them are very young birds, they are not fully grown and don’t seem to understand how to feed themselves.”
“They’re just starving, cold and sad,” said Rebecca Doer, director of research and veterinary science at the center. At the San Pedro location, the specialist was caring for 60 Pelican babies as of Tuesday, but more arrivals were received every day, Duer said. This is added to many adult pelicans, about 50 other birds, who came to the centre last month due to domoic acid poisoning. More than half of the birds have since died.
“We keep thinking it’s over, and then we get more birds,” Dure said of the influx.
In recent years, brown California pelicans, a federally protected species, have been discovered or have been debilitated in many numbers. There were also other years when many animals became ill from domoacids as algae flowers naturally developed. However, this year’s simultaneous event is especially concerning officials.
Debbie McGuire, executive director of the Huntington Beach Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center, said he believes that if changes in marine nutrient levels increase flower strength and length, it is likely that the spill from the Los Angeles fire will rise this year. Officials still don’t know how long this flower will last. Scientists also found that human-grown climate change and warming seawater can also increase the growth of harmful algae flowers.
McGuire said she doesn’t remember her organization testing the centre’s workforce and capabilities over the past 20 years when she treated this many birds with domoacid at once.
Huntington Beach’s Wetlands and Wildlife Care Centre is struggling to keep up with the number of Brown Pelicans at the rehabilitation centre. Seabird scores were found to be sick and starved.
(Newt likier/Wildland and Wildlife Care Centre)
“My staff is now burning midnight oil for a month,” McGuire said. “It’s difficult for them. A lot of compassion and love goes to our work.”
As of Tuesday, she said her team had been caring for nearly seven brown Pelicans since the previous day. Most people often need intensive care, including lessons on anti-seizure medications, IV, or ways to feed themselves. Still, more than 50% of the pelicans they collected last month died. This is because if the disease progresses too much, many birds that have become sick with domo acid cannot be saved.
“If we get them quickly enough, we can save them, but time is essential,” McGuire said.
The two centers said people discovered confused birds in unexpected and often dangerous places, including the 405 highway, the LAX terminal and the 405 Freeway near the Amazon warehouse.
The birds “don’t know where they are, they get confused and fly inland,” McGuire said.
Both rescue centers treat other seabirds with domoic acid disease, including West Greves, Blunt cor, and red-rotten runes, but brown pelicans were the most frequently sick. Although neither location has yet to reach capacity, McGuire said it is concern whether the situation will continue at the current rate.
The brown pelicans in Southern California are filling up wildlife rehabilitation centers as seabird scores are found to be sick and starving.
(Newt likier/Wildland and Wildlife Care Centre)
In a recent post on social media, the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center asked for financial donations or items from their wishlists so that they can continue to provide the care that animals need. International Bird Rescue is also seeking donations to help respond to what is called the seabird crisis.
“Because we care for over 52 Pelicans, the stress is high, and many of them haven’t eaten themselves yet, but there are no clear signs of slowing down anytime soon,” the Wetland and Wildlife Care Centre said in its post.
Authorities warned beach fans to take extreme caution when approaching diseases and dead animals, including seabirds. If you encountered it, International Bird Rescue urged people to call the organization’s bird helpline at (866) 767-2473. The Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center recommended that people call their local animal management office or find more information online.
Times staff writer Summerlin contributed to this report.
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