Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors and Fish & Wildlife Advisory Commission Unanimously Support Pelican Crisis Response Emergency Funding

Central Coast residents have seen an alarming number of brown pelican deaths from starvation this spring in the Monterey Bay. Emaciated birds have appeared in coastal areas since late April. This has prompted an emergency rescue response from wildlife advocates and serious concern from Santa Cruz County representatives, staff, and advisory groups. 

After intake and first aid at Native Animal Rescue in Santa Cruz County, the pelicans are transported to International Bird Rescue in Fairfield for further treatment. IBR, which partners with agencies across California, has received 110 brown pelicans from Santa Cruz County since April. The birds are cared for until they can return to the wild after rehabilitation. IBR is not returning the birds back to the areas where they were found starving but is working with public agencies to find locations with accessible food sources for them. Native Animal Rescue received 200 pelicans from April 18 to May 12 but now reports that the number of pelicans has slowed to approximately three per day from a high of 23. However, 78 of those rescued birds died before being transferred to long-term recovery with International Bird Rescue.

Native Animal Rescue and International Bird Rescue, both staffed by volunteers and running primarily on donations and grants, have spent countless hours and a significant amount of their funds this year rescuing these extraordinary birds, causing financial strain to both organizations. 

In a May 22 special meeting convened to address this urgent issue, the Santa Cruz County Fish & Wildlife Advisory Commission (FWAC) heard presentations from both rescue groups and, after discussion and public comments, voted unanimously to recommend approval of emergency grant allocations from the Fish & Game Propagation Fund for the Pelican Crisis Response. NAR requested $2,210 in emergency funding, while IBR requested $6,350 for rescue costs, including transportation and food for the pelicans. 

Supervisor McPherson agendized the item at the June 4 meeting of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, where it was approved unanimously, granting the requested funding to both Native Animal Rescue and International Bird Rescue. 

For more information on Native Animal Rescue and International Bird Rescue, or to donate to their work, go to the websites listed here: www.nativeanimalrescue.org  www.birdrescue.org

Contact Native Animal Rescue at 831-462-0726

Kristen Sandel
Environmental Committee of The Valley Women’s Club of SLV

Photo by Don DeBold/ CC BY