Ailing Pelicans Set Free After Treatment In San Pedro
SAN PEDRO (CBSLA.com) — A dozen pelicans were back on the beach Friday after receiving treatment for a variety of ailments.
KNX 1070's Jan Stevens reports the birds are among over 200 pelicans treated in San Pedro in the last month.
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"Most of the birds that are being released today are juveniles that have been coming with various injuries, like fishing line injuries or starving," said Julie Skoglund, manager of the International Bird Rescue Center.
Those injuries had prevented the pelicans from feeding themselves, with many of them ending up at fishing piers, Skoglund said.
Wildlife experts say at least part of the trend is due to young birds having trouble learning how to catch enough fish to survive amid an unusually large number of newborns in the pelican population statewide.
The Center was receiving between five and 15 pelicans into treatment every day during the month of July, the majority of which stayed for about a month on average before they were well enough to be released.
Those who had suffered more intense fishing line or fishing hook injuries, however, would be in treatment for several months before being released, said Skoglund.
About 70 pelicans are still receiving treatment and are expected to be released soon.
