The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network is alerting the public to an unusual influx of distressed seabirds being reported across the region.
The nonprofit said 32 California brown pelicans were brought to its center during the first two weeks of March from across Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. The organization also said there have been recent reports of deceased pelicans in unusual locations, including along the side of the freeway.
Pelicans have been arriving emaciated and dehydrated and the group is also seeing an increase in murres, cormorants and grebes needing help. SBWCN said its team is working to monitor and respond to the situation, but it is too early to state the cause of the pelicans’ distress…