Wildlife rehabilitation facilities in California counties such as Monterey have admitted hundreds of sick brown pelicans since mid-May, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The California brown pelican, which is a protected species, began arriving in care centers from Monterey down to San Diego on May 13, the CDFW said. The birds arrived emaciated and some had fractures or secondary injuries. Preliminary post-mortem examinations show starvation as the cause. No diseases or toxins were detected in the birds, nor was avian influenza.

Continue reading for free

Sign in to read this story and receive the weekly roundup in your inbox.

Or

Terms & Conditions

Success! Your account was created and you’re signed in.
Please visit My Account to manage your account.

Katy St. Clair got her start in journalism by working in the classifieds department at the East Bay Express during the height of alt weeklies, then sweet talked her way into becoming staff writer, submissions editor, and music editor. She has been a columnist in the East Bay Express, SF Weekly, and the San Francisco Examiner. Starting in 2015, she begrudgingly scaled the inverted pyramid at dailies such as the Vallejo Times-Herald, The Vacaville Reporter, and the Daily Republic. She has her own independent news site and blog that covers the delightfully dysfunctional town of Vallejo, California, where she also collaborates with the investigative team at Open Vallejo. A passionate advocate for people with developmental disabilities, she serves on both the Board of the Arc of Solano and the Arc of California. She lives in Vallejo.