Sick brown pelicans flood Huntington Beach wildlife facility. How you can help

Brown pelicans suffering from domoic acid toxicity — a harmful neurotoxin that affects their brain and nervous system — have inundated a Huntington Beach wildlife facility.

The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center is currently caring for more than 650 animals, including 50 sick pelicans, many of which need intensive treatment.

Debbie McGuire, executive director, told LAist they haven’t seen this many animal patients dealing with domoic acid toxicity in nearly 20 years.

“ Our staff is very tired because they're working overtime and extra hours. ... We’re just overwhelmed,” she said.

Where the center stands

The center has taken in at least 125 pelicans over the past month, and some have been incredibly sick.

They’re being treated with IV fluids, blood tests and anti-seizure medication, if needed, but not all recover. Staffers are “doing as much as they can, and the animal still might pass away,” McGuire said.

Almost all the early pelican patients were adults, but now younger birds are also flooding Southern California facilities.

“If [adults] were getting sick and dying, then these chicks were left there to fend for themselves and probably leaving the nest a little early, not learning the art of the hunt from the adults,” she said. “They're coming in by the dozens right now.”

The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center is waiting on test results to see if those birds are also dealing with domoic acid toxicity.

How you can help

The center needs both volunteers and donations to help keep up with the influx of animals.

Some of the sick brown pelicans being cared for by the nonprofit.

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Newt Likier

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Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center

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They’re looking for volunteers who can commit to at least one shift a week, and you can apply here.

They’re also seeking veterinary students and people with wildlife rehabilitation experience who can come give the staff a much-needed break.

For donations, you can choose items from the center’s wish list, including towels and mealworms. But McGuire said financial contributions make the biggest difference for the nonprofit and its roughly $1 million annual costs.

“We have to raise a lot of money every year to keep the operation going. ... Without the public support, we wouldn't be able to keep doing what we're doing,” she said. “I want to make sure everybody knows how grateful and thankful we are for that."