On Tuesday, April 23, Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network began receiving a large influx of California Brown Pelican patients. Birds arriving are emaciated and dehydrated with many more reports of deceased pelicans being found all over Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.
The SBWCN team is going into emergency response mode and is working to monitor this situation. It’s too early to state the cause of the pelicans’ distress, but Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network will work to keep the public informed as it gains more information.
All members of the public who see a pelican in distress in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties are encouraged to call the Wildlife Helpline at 805-681-1080 before attempting rescue of an animal or to report an animal that needs help.
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If a pelican is exhibiting neurologic signs (such as falling over, losing balance, seizing, etc) please do not handle the animal directly, call SBWCN and wait for assistance. In any case, animals should never be touched with bare hands. If you are able to rescue the animal, please call the HELPline for guidance.
It’s also Wildlife baby season and many animals will be coming to our organization for help and we encourage the members of the public to again call the Wildlife Helpline which is answered seven days a week (9am-5pm) with any questions or concerns about wildlife in distress. Messages are checked every 15 minutes so please leave a message with information on the animal’s location, condition/situation, and full and complete contact information.
If you would like to help SBWCN respond to this event, please consider making a donation to the work to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife. Your support provides the care, food, fluids, and medications these birds needed to make a full recovery.
About Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network
Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network (SBWCN) is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1988 by a group of local wildlife rehabilitators. For over 30 years, SBWCN has served to rescue, rehabilitate, and return to the wild sick, injured, orphaned, and oil-impaired wildlife in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties and to educate the public about living in harmony with wildlife. SBWCN takes care of over 4,000 patients per year, including small mammals, shorebirds, songbirds, raptors, and reptiles. For animal emergencies or wildlife advice, call the SBWCN Helpline: (805) 681-1080.
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