SoCal Storms Injure Dozens Of Brown Pelicans

[Donna]

People aren't the only ones being impacted by this weeks powerful storms sweeping across the Southland.

More than two dozen injured California brown pelicans have been brought to the International Bird Rescue Research Center in San Pedro in the past 48 hours, officials said today.

Cold weather combined with poor ocean water quality due to the oil, grease and other contaminants being carried by storm runoff are affecting the birds, says Jay Holcomb, director of the center.

"Seabird feathers provide a nature barrier to water, as well as insulation from the cold," Holcomb said. "These pelicans are getting cold and wet because the water quality is so poor right now and these added contaminants are preventing the feathers from doing their job.

"As well as coping with the storms, many of the pelicans we have received have seal bite injuries, a result of feeding frenzies due to commercial and public fishing," he said. "These injuries make it even more difficult for the birds to cope with the severe weather conditions out there this week."

[valhalla]

Man!  That birds are really taking a hit this winter!