Pelican Rescue Surge Hits Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - A growing number of pelicans are turning up in distress along the Central Coast.

The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network team is seeing a spike in starving and dehydrated birds across Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

More than 30 pelicans have been rescued in just the past two weeks, along with other struggling seabirds.

"We’re seeing birds come in extremely weak and in need of urgent care, and we’re asking the public to report them right away," said executive director Ariana Katovich of Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network.

The cause is still unclear as rescue teams work to care for the birds and track what’s behind the surge.

For more information on how you can support the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network, visit: https://www.sbwcn.org/.