Brown Pelican With Injured Wing

The following story about a brown pelican was shared with us by the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Wildlife Care Center in California.

This brown pelican arrived from Ocean Beach in San Francisco on July 12, 2022. Brown pelicans can have a wingspan of 78 inches wide. Therefore, when this patient was found along the shoreline, not flying, we knew he was in need of help.

He arrived with a right wing droop and swelling at the right wrist joint. Body condition was thin, and his mouth was tacky and pale, indicating he had been grounded for a while.

We stabilized the patient, giving him nutrition through EmerAid IC Piscivore and pain relief through medication. We then transferred him up to International Bird Rescue for continued care and rehabilitation.