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Press Release
High Number of California Brown Pelicans Show Signs of Sickness
A brown pelican in a care facility
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Media Contact(s):
Tim Daly, CDFW Communications, (916) 201-2958
Heather Perry, CDFW Wildlife Branch, (916) 358-0729
Jane Hendron, USbet365下载ios Public Affairs Specialist
Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office General Contact

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has received increased reports of California brown pelicans, a fully protected species, stranded along the coast from Santa Cruz County south to San Diego County, since late April. Central and Southern California wildlife rehabilitation facilities began admitting an unusually high number of sick pelicans as reports were received.

The pelicans exhibit characteristics of emaciation, and some have secondary injuries. CDFW along with the bet365下载ios (USbet365下载ios), wildlife rehabilitation facilities and other state partners are coordinating to assess the ongoing situation.

CDFW is conducting postmortem examinations and testing pelicans admitted to wildlife rehabilitation facilities. Preliminary results indicate that pelicans are succumbing to starvation related problems.

Stranding events have been documented to occur periodically along the California coast in a variety of seabird species. A similar pelican stranding event occurred in spring 2022 with nearly 800 pelicans admitted into wildlife rehabilitation facilities and 394 successfully returned to the wild. 

Officials ask the public not to touch, harass, attempt to feed or take photographs with pelicans. Do not attempt to remove any fishing lines or embedded fishing hooks from entangled birds.

CDFW and agency partners will continue to track this stranding event.

How Can the Public Help?

Report an injured or sick pelican:

  • Call your local wildlife
  • Call

Report a dead pelican:

  • Residents can report dead wildlife to CDFW鈥檚 Wildlife Health Laboratory using the , which helps biologists monitor the event- please include photos if possible.

Support a local Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility:

  • Contact permitted facilities intaking brown pelicans directly for how to best assist.
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