CAPTIVA ISLAND, Fla. — Charlie Sheetz found two dead brown pelicans on his dock at Blind Pass within the last two weeks. This comes as the Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife reports a spike in the number of injured pelicans compared to last year.
Sheetz said he knew something was wrong when he walked a few feet away from the pelicans sitting on his dock and they wouldn’t budge.
“I didn’t all of a sudden become the pelican whisperer. There’s no way I should be able to get this close to pelicans without them reacting,” he said.
He’s found two dead brown pelicans in the last 10 days and snapped photos of some sitting in the sun for hours. He said his next door neighbor found four dead ones on his dock.
“I would love to know what’s going on. Is it the water? Is it the fish they’re eating? Something’s wrong!” he said.
CROW said they’ve treated 90 brown pelicans at their wildlife hospital so far this year. That’s just about as much as the 93 they admitted in all of 2019.
Shelli Albright with CROW said veterinarians have found hook and line injuries and injuries that come from people feeding them.
“We’re seeing these pelicans come in with great big fish in their pouches that they couldn’t possible swallow on their own,” said Albright.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said feeding pelicans could lead to a $500 fine and jail time.
Sheetz said he’s noticed pelicans jumping up and grabbing fish from fisherman at Blind Pass. But Albright said the dead pelicans reported there haven’t shown any signs of consuming the bigger fish. She still recommends against feeding pelicans, even if you think it’s a nice thing to do. Especially for people who are filleting fish and then feeding the scraps to pelicans.
“Dispose of those remains in a lidded trashcan. That way pelicans and other birds don ’t have easy access to them and get themselves in trouble,” she said.
Sheetz added he’s concerned that whatever’s affecting the pelicans could also harm people.
“There’s boats out here everyday. I tell them, make sure you cook those fish very well. And I wouldn’t be eating any sushi,” he said.
CROW said they’re working with FWC to find out what’s going on with the pelicans at Blind Pass.
