An abnormally large number of sick brown pelicans have become patients at the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network (SBWCN) over the past couple of weeks, with 22 showing up over a two-day period. The event reflects a similar one from 2022 when the SBWCN took in 260 ailing pelicans.
“They’re coming in emaciated and dehydrated,” said Rachel Mattovich, SBWCN communications manager. “We still don’t know what the cause is.”
She added that despite this uncertainty, the birds are not showing signs of avian influenza, or bird flu, which can infect poultry and other animals.