Bird reward up to $20,000

A group of wildlife protection agencies has quadrupled the reward for information on whoever injured the wings of 11 endangered brown pelicans on Bolsa Chica State Beach.

The reward has risen from an initial $5,000 to $20,000 for anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible. In addition to the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center, which is caring for the one surviving bird, other agencies involved are the Found Animals Foundation, Bolsa Chica Land Trust and the International Bird Rescue and Research Center.

Between Sept. 15 and 17, 11 pelicans were found on a narrow stretch of beach with horrific injuries, wildlife workers said. Of the four that were still living when found, three had to be euthanized because of their injuries.

The injuries were too similar — wings snapped back the wrong way — to be coincidence, workers said. But one pelican has managed to survive, and its condition is improving.

“The one surviving pelican is doing well,” said the center’s wildlife director, Debbie McGuire, in a statement. “She is eating well, perching well and her weight is up. She is still not flapping, though.”

That bird, older than the others, likely survived because its wings were not snapped, just bent backward, McGuire added.

Center officials remain convinced that the injuries were intentional, Assistant Wildlife Director Lisa Birkle said in a statement.

“In my opinion, these injuries appear to be intentional,” she said.

“This does not naturally happen to 11 birds in the span of three days. We have never had this many similar injuries in this short an amount of time, 11 on the same beach.”

REPORT CRIME

Those with information on the incidents are asked to call Special Agent Ed Newcomer of the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife at (310) 328-1516. There is a $20,000 for anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible.

MICHAEL ALEXANDER may be reached at (714) 966-4618 or at [email protected].