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San Pedro, CA
The bodies of seven
endangered brown pelicans have been brought to a bird rescue
center in San Pedro after being found near the Cabrillo pier.
“All have wounds that indicate they were
shot and one also had both wings broken,” said Mark Russell,
rehabilitation manager of the International Bird Rescue Research
Center (IBRRC). The California Brown Pelican is an endangered
species, protected by both state and federal laws.” It
is estimated that only about 5,000 breeding pairs remain.
Russell is asking the public to report any suspicious activity
to law enforcement authorities.
The center, which is a member of California's
Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN),
has been deluged with birds in the past week. In addition
to eight other brown pelicans that came in weak and emaciated,
recent storms also brought injured cormorants, loons and other
seabirds to shore. Some of the birds brought to the San Pedro
Center were also oiled, most likely due to petroleum products
washed from streets into the ocean after recent storms.
Animal cruelty is a felony in California. Violators
of the Endangered Species Act are subject to fines of up to
$100,000 and one year imprisonment. Organizations found in
violation may be fined up to $200,000.
IBRRC is asking the public to call the law enforcement
division of US Fish & Wildlife at 310-328-1516 and CALTIP
at 1-888-DFG-CALTIP if they observe anyone harming pelicans
or any other marine wildlife. Anyone finding injured or oiled
waterfowl should call the center at 310-514-2573 for instructions.
IBRRC is located at the Los Angeles Oiled Bird
Care and Education Center, 3601 South Gaffey, San Pedro. Phone
310-514-2573 or 2574.
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press releases
Media contacts:
• Karen Benzel, International Bird Rescue
Research Center, Karen@ibrrc.org
Office: (831) 622-7588
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