The recent storms and treacherous surf have wreaked havoc on the seabird population. Just in the month of January, CWC has admitted 29 California Brown Pelicans and is expecting more in the coming days. Most of the birds are suffering from hypothermia (they get very cold). Their feathers normally form a natural barrier to the water and act as insulation from the cold, but instead are matted by oil, grease and other substances from the massive runoff, much of it coming from roads and freeways. We had already received many pelicans prior to the storms that were emaciated from not finding food. The El Nino condition is causing water surface temperatures to rise, sending fish out to deeper, colder water. The storms dealt them a second blow. Our staff and volunteers are working very hard to stabilize them which requires warming them up and hydrating them. Once stabilized, they are transported to IBRRC (International Bird Rescue Research Center) in San Pedro for rehabilitation. They have received 107 pelicans and counting. It takes 5 to 7 days per bird before they can be released back into the wild.
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