Summary

**EDITORIAL INFORMATION PROVIDED BY KGO**

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--SUPERS--
Thursday,
Sausalito, CA

Dr. Nikki Becich
International Bird Rescue

J.D Bergeron
CEO, International Bird Rescue

--LEAD IN--
IN CALIFORNIA'S NORTH BAY, THE FIRST GROUP OF NEWLY REHABILITATED BROWN PELICANS RETURNED TO THE WILD, AFTER RECEIVING CARE.
HUNDREDS OF THE SEA BIRDS WERE FOUND STARVING BEGINNING IN LATE APRIL, UP AND DOWN THE CALIFORNIA COAST.
CORNELL BARNARD WENT TO SAUSALITO, WHERE SEVERAL OF THE PELICANS RETURNED HOME, HEALTHY.

--REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS--
VETS ARE GIVING A FINAL CHECK UP TO THIS BROWN PELICAN, WHICH CAME TO THE INTERNATIONAL BIRD RESCUE IN FAIRFIELD LAST MONTH, STARVING AND BARELY ALIVE
TODAY, THIS BIRD AND OTHERS ARE BEING REHABBED BACK TO HEALTH THANKS TO A DIET OF SMELT AND MACKEREL.
Nikki Becich, DVM/ International Bird Rescue: Thats why we do what we do, to see these birds go back into the wild. to create a new generation to keep these species around.
FITTED WITH A BLUE BAND, TO TRACK THEIR PROGRESS IN THE WILD, EIGHT PELICANS ARE LOADED IN CARRIERS UP BY THE CENTERS STAFF AND DRIVEN 50 MILES TO SAUSALITO ..
(nats)
We were there for the big moment when the sea birds STEPPED OUT, and took flight, returning to their home on the Bay.
(nats)
WHILE ITS GOOD NEWS... THERES ABOUT 160 PELICANS, BACK AT THE RESCUE CENTER NOT DOING AS WELL...
THEIR REHAB WILL TAKE TIME. EMACIATED PELICANS ARE STILL ARRIVING HERE BUT IN FAR LOWER NUMBER COMPARED TO SEVERAL WEEKS AGO WHEN WE VISITED. WHILE ITS STILL UNCLEAR WHATS CAUSING THE CRISIS, EXPERTS BELIEVE EL NINO WEATHER CONDITIONS POSSIBLY MADE IT HARDER FOR PELICANS TO FIND FISH.
J.D Bergeron / CEO, International Bird Rescue: Stormy weather can create dynamics in the ocean which makes hunting challenging, some thoughts about where the fish are, maybe not in the same location.
THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE SAID:
ITS OUR FEELING, BUT NOTHING PROVEN, THAT PELICANS WERE SIMPLY UNABLE TO REACH THE FISH THEY NORMALLY WOULD BECAUSE OF THOSE OCEAN CONDITIONSTHE NUMBER OF BIRDS BEING BROUGHT IN FOR RECOVERY HAS DROPPED WAY DOWN.
TODAY, THERES ENCOURAGING SIGNS PELICANS ARE HUNTING AGAIN NEAR THE GOLDEN GATE.
J.D Bergeron / CEO, International Bird Rescue: Just about 3 days ago, 250 Pelicans were spotted feeding and doing normal Pelican things.
ITS MOMENTS LIKE THESE WHICH MAKE CARING FOR THESE ICONIC CALIFORNIA BROWN PELICANS TOTALLY WORTH IT.
J.D Bergeron / CEO, International Bird Rescue: It is that magic moment honestly. We spent time watching every single bird, checking Abrasions making sure its eating,, returning them to the wild is magical.
-----END-----

--KEYWORD TAGS--
CALIFORNIA WILDLIFE INTERNATIONAL BIRD RESCUE BROWN PELICANS VETERINARIAN