A Brown Pelican found in Marina del Rey was recovering Thursday from what bird-rescue authorities called a severe slashing of its pouch that appeared to be the result of a malicious attack by an unknown assailant.
The female adult pelican was discovered Saturday and taken to International Bird Rescue, where she underwent a three-hour surgical procedure to repair a “deep tear” in the pouch that extended to the back of the bird’s neck, according to the organization.
The tear extended to the feathered skin behind the bird’s pouch on both sides, with two small horizontal lacerations to the back of its throat. Hundreds of stitches were required to seal the wound.
The pelican was recovering from the surgical procedure and is “resting comfortably” as it continues a month-long course of care, according to the organization.
The wounds the pelican sustained appeared to be three to four days old, leaving the bird emaciated and unable to feed, according to Rebecca Duerr, senior director of Research and Veterinary Science at International Bird Rescue.
“If the bird is promptly rescued, these wounds are potentially fixable, but the pain and suffering the bird experiences is horrendous,” Duerr said in a statement. “The characteristics of the wound make it appear to me that it was maliciously caused. Fishing gear injuries and ingestion of inappropriate food do not cause injuries like this — we see those injuries on a daily basis and this is different.”
Under federal and state law, pelicans are protected from harm or harassment.
Anyone who witnesses suspicious activities involving the harming of wildlife was encouraged to contact the CalTip (Californians Turn In Poachers & Polluters) hotline at 888-334-2258 or download the CalTip app or text CALTIP to 847411.
It remains unclear if authorities have identified a potential suspect.
People who see birds in distress were urged to contact the Bird Rescue Helpline at 866-767-2473 or local animal control officials.