Pelican populations in decline

Pelican populations are in decline, according to a study recently published in the journal "Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems."

The study, conducted by a team of researchers from around the world, found that the number of pelicans has decreased by an average of 34 percent since 2000. The decline was particularly pronounced in the Gulf of Mexico, where pelican numbers fell by 53 percent, and in Europe and North Africa, where they declined by 48 percent.

The main driver of the decline appears to be changes in diet due to overfishing. Pelicans are opportunistic feeders and rely on a wide variety of prey species. However, as fish stocks have dwindled due to overfishing, pelicans have been forced to increasingly rely on lower-quality food sources such as sardines and anchovies. This has led to health problems for many pelican populations.

The study's authors call for greater protections for pelicans and their prey species, including stronger fisheries management measures and more stringent restrictions on fishing activity in sensitive areas. They also argue for increased awareness and funding for conservation efforts targeting pelicans and other marine birds.

Pelicans could be key to saving the environment

The California brown pelican is a beautiful bird species that was recently taken off of the endangered list. After being hunted to near extinction in the early 1900s and then nearly wiped out by the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, their population has since rebounded, with a total population of over 1.5 million today.

What's even more impressive is that this resurgence has been largely due to the efforts of volunteers and conservationists who have worked tirelessly to protect their nesting grounds and promote awareness about these birds.

One such group is the Pelican Watch program in Louisiana, which has been instrumental in helping the brown pelican population recover. Started in 1985, Pelican Watch helps monitor and protect nesting brown pelicans along the Gulf Coast.

Thanks to their efforts, we now know that these birds can thrive even in areas that have been impacted by oil spills. In fact, according to the program director, Denise Richie, "The BP oil spill didn't seem to cause any long-term problems for the pelicans… We've seen increases in reproductive success since then."

This is great news for the future of brown pelicans and for our planet as a whole. As climate change continues to wreak havoc on ecosystems around the globe, it is more important than ever that we work together to protect our threatened species and habitats.

So next time you see a brown pelican soaring overhead, take a moment to appreciate their beauty and remember all they have done (and continue to do) to help save our planet.

Pelican found with fishing hook in its mouth

A Pelican was recently found in Cape Coral, FL with a fishing hook stuck in its mouth.

The bird was taken to The Clinic for Wildlife Conservation for treatment, where vets were able to remove the hook without any further injury to the Pelican.

It is not clear how or why the bird got the hook stuck in its mouth, but officials say it could have been due to someone trying to catch the Pelican with a fishing net.

Pelicans are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and anyone caught harming them can face up to $15,000 in fines.

Louisiana pelicans dying from chemical poisoning

The Louisiana pelicans are dying in droves, and there's evidence that the cause is chemical poisoning.

In 2012, an estimated 2,000 pelicans were found dead on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. Necropsies conducted on some of the birds revealed that they had died from exposure to a harmful chemical.

Oil refineries and other industrial plants in the area have been identified as the likely source of the poison. The plants are known to release pollutants into the air and water, which can harm both people and wildlife.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has launched an investigation into the matter, but so far has been unable to identify the precise source of the pollution.

The pelicans are not the only ones affected by the pollution. A recent study found that fish in Lake Pontchartrain are also contaminated with harmful chemicals. This is a major concern, as many people in Louisiana rely on seafood as a source of protein.

The state government must take action to address this issue. The health of Louisianans and wildlife alike is at stake.

Baby pelicans rescued from Galveston beach

Dozens of baby pelicans were rescued yesterday from a beach in Galveston.

Volunteers from the Texas Sea Grant program and the Galveston County Beach Patrol were called to action after receiving reports of the stranded birds.

The pelicans, who are just a few weeks old, were transported to a wildlife rehabilitation center where they will be cared for until they can be released back into the wild.

"It's really sad when you see something like this but it's also really wonderful to see everyone come together to help these animals," said one volunteer.

This is just the latest in a series of animal-rescue operations that have taken place in recent months. In March, dozens of sea turtles were rescued from a beach in Port Aransas. And last year, hundreds of Texas coastal birds were saved after becoming trapped in tar balls following an oil spill.