Sick and hungry pelicans flooding bird centers

It's another busy summer season for the staff and volunteers at IBRRC as sick and starving young pelicans arrive for treatment at both California centers. Since June nearly 100 pelicans have been transfered to the bird rescue centers – one in San Pedro and the other in Cordelia, CA – to be given the best possible care. They're coming from Monterey/Santa Cruz and Los Angeles/Orange County area beaches.

To help defray the cost of caring for the pelicans, IBRRC is asking for the public's help. Currently the pelicans are eating at least $750 worth of fish a day.

You can adopt a pelican through the bird center's adopt-a-bird program for $200. For a $500 adoption fee you can become a Pelican Partner. When your pelican is ready for release, you will be invited to one of our two bird centers in California and watch as our staff gives your bird its final examination, evaluation, approval and numbered Federal band. You and your family will then accompany IBRRC staff to release your pelican at a local site. You will be the one to open the cage, let your pelican go free and take photos or video of this wonderful experience. A beautiful commemorative certificate will include your name, the date and place of release and your pelican’s band number. You will also receive a IBRRC t-shirt.


Luckily this year IBRRC completed construction of a new 100-foot pelican aviary at its Cordelia, CA bird center. The aviary allows pelicans to recuperate in large comfortable setting. It has two large pools and perches for the birds to fly back and forth to stretch their wings. The aviary was completed with funds from the Green Foundation and the Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN). The San Pedro center has had a pelican aviary since it opened in 2001.



How to help: Adopt-a-Pelican

More information on Pelicans in Peril

Found a bird? How to handle a sick or injured pelican or other aquatic birds.