Eight juvenile brown pelicans were brought to SeaWorld San Diego today from the Tucson Wildlife Center and Liberty Wildlife Center in Arizona for care before being returned to the wild. The rescued pelicans arrived at SeaWorld this morning and the marine park’s bird keepers weighed and examined the birds, gave them vitamins and assessed their feather condition.
The birds were likely blown off course by monsoons. The Tucson Wildlife and Liberty Wildlife Centers in Arizona rehabilitated and stabilized the birds before sending them to SeaWorld. SeaWorld is expected to return seven of birds back to the wild in a few days after their feather condition improves. One bird has an amputated wing and has been deemed non-releasable.
Brown pelicans are normally found along coastal habitats throughout the West Coast, Gulf Coast and Latin and South America. Their standard weight is approximately 7½ pounds with an average wing span of 5½ feet. In 2009, the species was removed from the U.S. endangered species list. So far this year, SeaWorld San Diego has taken in more than 100 injured or ill pelicans.
