Pelican with slashed throat pouch rescued, Culprit Wanted

A California Brown Pelican whose entire pouch was cut with a sharp object like a knife is in stable condition at International Bird Rescue’s (IBR) bird hospital in San Pedro. The bird was found at 5400 Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach on April 16th by Animal Control.

A reward of $2,500 is being offered for for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the mutilation of this bird.

California Brown Pelicans are a threatened species recently taken off the endangered species list. Migratory birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and laws make harming of migratory birds a
possible felony on a Federal level.

“Pelicans are of no threat to anyone yet they continue to be mutilated and even killed by people who see them as competition for fish,” said IBR

Director, Jay Holcomb. “The truth is a pelican’s diet is mostly anchovies and sardines, fish that are used as bait by people who fish for sport.” The relationship between animal abuse and violence against humans is
well documented and cases like this are taken very seriously by law enforcement officers.

Anyone with information that might lead to the arrest and conviction of person responsible for the mutilation of this bird should contact USFWS at 310-328-1516.

This bird will undergo one or more surgeries involving hundreds of stitches to repair the pouch. Temporary staples are currently holding the pouch in place so the bird can eat and gain strength.

Anyone wishing to donate to help this bird and the many others needing care should visit IBR’s website at http://www.bird-rescue.org/

Agencies/Canadajournal