ODFW is investigating reports of sick and dead brown pelicans along the Oregon coast.
Several pelican carcasses were collected for testing. Lab results from two pelicans found in Newport came back negative for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Additional test results are still pending to determine if disease or domoic acid toxicity may be involved.
Brown pelicans breed in southern California and migrate north along the Oregon coast in the spring. It is not uncommon for juvenile birds to become fatigued—especially during strong north winds—and stop to rest. Some of the pelicans reported to ODFW have appeared to be tired but otherwise uninjured juveniles.
However, domoic acid toxicity caused by harmful algal blooms in southern California has recently sickened or killed dozens of brown pelicans and other wildlife. ODFW is awaiting further testing to determine if domoic acid or another illness is contributing to the cases of sick or dead pelicans in Oregon.
It is important to note that a current advisory is in place for the sport harvest of razor clams along the Oregon coast from Cascade Head to the California border due to elevated levels of domoic acid. This advisory is based on toxin levels accumulated last fall. Razor clams are slow to clear toxins from their systems, but ODFW’s phytoplankton monitoring currently shows no harmful algal species off the entire Oregon coast.
If you find a sick, resting or dead pelican, please leave it alone and keep dogs leashed and away from wildlife. Rehabilitation options are limited and the best thing to do is to leave pelicans alone. ODFW district wildlife biologists along the coast are aware of this situation and the public does not need to report sick, resting or dead pelicans.
Source: ODFW