No cause established for broken wings
By Amy Hotz
Amy.Hotz@StarNewsOnline.comPublished: Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 3:06 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 3:06 p.m.
Ten pelicans in the past ten days have washed up on area beaches with broken wings, according to Mary Ellen Rogers with the Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter in Oak Island.
Rogers said passersby began calling her about the birds on Dec. 17. So far, injured pelicans have been found on Bald Head Island, Oak Island, Holden Beach and Caswell Beach, she said.
“The wings are all broken in the same place on the same side and they’re all washing up on the beach indicating that whoever’s doing this is out on a boat,” Rogers said. (Sick people)
Usually only the left wings have been broken, but a few of the birds are injured in their right wings. One bird was found with both wings broken.
Rogers said this is the second time several brown pelicans with broken wings have shown up on area beaches. About two years ago seven brown pelicans with injured wings were brought to the Wildlife Shelter in a 24-hour period. Rogers said time the birds are showing up later in the season. Because of the injuries’ characteristics, she believes humans are responsible.
“I don’t know what’s going on but it’s really, really discouraging that someone could be this incredibly cruel,” Rogers said.
If you find an injured shorebird on a local beach, Rogers can be reached by calling 278-7871.
For more information about the Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter go to
