Brown pelicans throughout the south of California are filling wildlife rehabilitation centers, either sick or looking, a double crisis that wildlife experts believe that it could be linked to a massive flowering of toxic algae.
During the last month, hundreds of seabirds have poisoned in the legs with dome acid, a neurotoxin produced in harmful algae flowers that are consumed by fish fed with filters, such anchovies and sardines. Small fish are not affected by toxins, but many sea birds and marine mammals that feed on fish are, and the disease can be deadly. More than 100 area Marine lions have been sick and killed For toxins in recent months, along with several dolphins that have died.
Around the last month, hundreds of seabirds have been poisoned by Domoic acid, a neurotoxin produced by harmful algae flowers.
(Newt Likier / Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center)
More recent, officials also have a leg response to an influx of baby pelicans who are not sick from toxins, but are struggling to survive because they are extremely malnourished.
Officials think that the two phenomena are related: as more adult pelicans get sick, disorient or die, they have left more and more peel babies to fend for themselves, leaving their nests prematurely when they still do not know how to fish.
It is just a theory at this time, but experts say it would help explain the unprecedented number of baby pelicans looking at that they appear in wildlife rescue centers.
“It is unusual that we receive such a high volume of chicks that are so young,” the International Bird RescueA global conservation organization that has one of its largest wildlife rescue centers in San Pedro, wrote on its website. “Many are very young birds, not in full time, and do not seem to understand how to feed the titles.”
“They are simply hungry, cold and sad,” said Rebecca Duerr, director of research and veterinary sciences of the center. In their location of San Pedro, the specialists were taking care of 60 Pelican babies until Tuesday, with more arrivals every day, Duerr said. That adds another 50 birds, many adult pelicans, who have arrived in the center during the last month due to domestic acid poisoning. Of poisoned birds, more than half have done so since then.
“We continue to think that it is and then we get more birds,” Duerr said on the influx.
There are bone Other times in recent years When the brown pelicans of California, a Federally protected species, They have been found dead or emaciated in large numbers, and other years When a large number of animals have become ill from the dome acid, as the flowering of algae is naturally produced. But this year’s competition events are especially worrisome for officials.
Debbie McGuare, Executive Director of the Wetland Care and Wildlife Center In Huntington Beach, he said he believes that the runoff of the Los Angeles County Fire Storm in January probably raised this year’s flowering, since changes in nutrient levels in the ocean can increase strength and duration Or flowering. Scientists I have also found This climate change caused by humans and oceanic heating waters can increase the growth of hazard algae flowers. Officials still do not know how long this flowering will last.
McGuare said that he cannot remember a moment in the last 20 years in which his organization has been treated with so many birds with Acima Domic at the same time, pointing out that he is testing the workforce and the ability of the center.
The wetland care center and wildlife in Huntington Beach is fighting to keep up with the amount of brown pelicans who need attention.
(Newt Likier / Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center)
“My staff is burning midnight oil for a month,” McGuare said. “It’s hard for them, a lot of compassion and love enters our work.”
Until Wednesday, the team was taking care of almost 60 brown pelicans, with seven new birds arriving in the previous 24 hours. Most of the sick and hungry birds require intensive care, or that include insurance, IV or lessons on how to feed the titians. Even so, more than 50% of the pelicans in which they have tasks in the last month have died, since sick birds due to domestic acid cannot be saved if the disease has progressed too much.
“If we get them quick enough, we can save them, but time is essential,” McGuare said.
The two centers said that people have found disoriented birds in unexpected and dangerous places during the last month, even on the 405 highway, in a terminal at the Los Angeles International Airport and near the Amazon stores.
The birds “do not know where they are, they are confused, they fly inwards,” McGuire said.
Both rescue centers are also treating other sea birds ill from Domoic acid, including Western Grebes, Brandt’s cormorants and the red tray, but brown pelicans have been most frequently sick. Neinder’s location has yet reached capacity, but McGuare said it is a concern if the situation continues to current rates.
Debbie McGuare, executive director of the Wetland Care and Wildlife Center in Huntington Beach, said he cannot remember a moment in the last 20 years when the organization has treated so many birds with domestic acid in one and moment, pointing out that he is pointing out that he is pointing out that time, pointing out that he is pointing out that he is trying that moment in a moment, that he is noticing once.
(Newt Likier / Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center)
In a recently Publish on social networksThe Wetland Care and Wildlife Center requested Monetary Donations ORPÍN Elements on your desire list To help ensure that they can continue to provide the attention that animals need. The bird rescue international also has He asked for donations To help you respond to what is called a seabird crisis.
“The stress is high since we take care of about 52 pelicans, many of which are not yet eaten alone, without any clear sign of decelerating soon”, the wetlands and the wild care center He said in his Monday publication. McGuare said that number has since exceeded 60.
The officials warned the beach spectators who use extreme caution when approaching any sick or dead animal, including sea birds. If you meet one in Los Angeles County, the International Bird Rescue urged people to call the organization’s aid line at (866) 767-2473. The wetland and wildlife care center, which serves Orange County, recommended that people call their local animal control office or find more information. online.
The Times staff writer, Summer Lin, contributed to this report.
