SAN PEDRO (CNS) - A Brown Pelican that was found in San Pedro with a slashed pouch is on the road to recovery Friday following a pair of surgical procedures and will soon be returned to the wild, officials at International Bird Rescue said.
The bird was brought to the care center in San Pedro on March 10 after being found with its pouch severed from the base to the tip on both sides -- injuries that are believed to have been human-caused.
"We see many pelicans with pouch trauma due to fishing gear and eating dangerous sharp items like fish skeletons, but the wounds do not look like this," Rebecca Duerr, Bird Rescue's director of Research & Veterinary Science, said in a statement Thursday. "The cuts are reminiscent of a knife, machete, or other sharp object.
"This bird's injuries were straight cuts parallel to the jaw, running all the way back to the neck, and cutting into the feathered skin of the neck itself on both sides."
The 3-year-old pelican, nicknamed Blue in honor of a similarly injured pelican that was treated at the center a decade ago named Pink, has undergone a pair of surgeries and more than 500 stitches have been used to repair her pouch. While in recovery, she has gained about 1.75 pounds.
Duerr said the back of the bird's mouth "required careful reconstruction."
Bird Rescue officials said Blue will eventually be returned to the wild.
In the meantime, they asked anyone who might have information about the attack on the pelican to call the Cal Tip Line at 888-334-2258.
The non-profit wildlife organization relies on public support to help fund the care of injured, sick and orphaned waterbirds. Donations may be sent to www.birdrescue.org/donate/.