SPCA Monterey County reported having to rescue at least nine weak and emaciated pelicans around the county since Sunday and Monday, with more calls for help coming in this week.

The calls have come from locations around Monterey, Moss Landing, Carmel and elsewhere, with the birds all found unable to fly and with poor blood test results, according to the SPCA, which says its Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is caring for the birds.

The nonprofit did not say what might be causing distress to the pelicans but noted that similar rescues occurred in May 2022.

Anyone who sees a pelican in need of rescue can call the wildlife center at (831) 264-5427 

Dan McMenamin is the managing editor at Bay City News, directing daily news coverage of the 12-county greater Bay Area. He has worked for BCN since 2008 and has been managing editor since 2014 after previously serving as BCN’s San Francisco bureau reporter. A UC Davis graduate, he came to BCN after working for a newspaper and nonprofit in the Davis area. He handles staffing, including coaching of our interns, day-to-day coverage decisions and management of the newswire.