Pelican with signs of domoic acid - rescued

This morning, WES was notified by International Bird Rescue of two ailing pelicans at Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay. The reporting party had observed a very sick pelican on a rock, weaving its head back and forth. This is an indication of domoic acid poisoning - often treatable in birds.

WES directors, Duane Titus and Rebecca Dmytryk, drove from the Santa Cruz area and arrived on scene around 1:00 pm. They quickly found the ailing pelican. 

Although the pelican seemed a bit "out of it", Duane used precaution, approaching it very slowly. Check out the video below.

The bird was placed on a heating pad inside a crate and transported over Highway 92 where Peninsula Humane Society transported it the rest of the way to PHS' Wildlife Center in Burlingame.

The second pelican was entangled in fishing line. According to the RP, the young pelican has been entangled since July 19th.

Young pelican entangled in fishing line. It was first observed July 19th.

Using binoculars, the team scanned the pelicans on the breakwater and jetties but could not locate this particular bird. They did, however, observe a pelican that appeared weak. Unfortunately, it would take a small boat to get to it. Something WES desperately needs.

We have just launched a campaign to raise funds for a rigid inflatable boat, like a Zodiac, that can reach the breakwaters and jetties where ill and injured birds tend to congregate.

This was a dream of our dear friend and colleague, Jay Holcomb, who passed away in 2014 - to have a boat dedicated to proactive searches of marinas and harbors to look for ailing pelicans and other marine birds in trouble. A Pelican Patrol Boat. We plan to name the vessel in Jay's honor - The Jay Bird.

Please help us raise the funds to acquire a Pelican Patrol boat by contributing HERE. We're offering various levels of support including the opportunity to join us on patrols in various marinas in California. 

Photo by Tim Blair CCL