Surviving pelican released

An endangered brown pelican that nearly died from wing injuries that killed 10 others of its species took to the air Wednesday in Corona Del Mar after two weeks of rehabilitation. At Big Corona State Beach, those who cared for the bird set her free.

Apparently eager to get back into the water, the bird leaped into the air and didn’t turn back.

That’s not unexpected considering her behavior in rehab, said Debbie McGuire, wildlife director of the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach, which nursed the pelican back to health. The pelican has been flying around her cage all week, she said.

“[Assistant Wildlife Director] Lisa [Birkle] and I had a heck of a time catching her in there,” McGuire said. “I had the skinned knees to show for it. Today she took one hop out, took one look at us and the next hop was into the air.”

The bird was one of 11 found with severe wing injuries at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach between Sept. 15 and 17. All others had the bones in their wings snapped backward, but the surviving pelican only had soft tissue injuries and a swollen left shoulder.

Big Corona was chosen on behalf of another, younger bird also being released into the wild; the beach has plenty of bait fish to go around, McGuire said. The pelican, however, is at full strength and can handle herself anywhere, she added.

“I would have been happy walking her across the street [to Huntington State Beach] and letting her out right there,” McGuire said.

What’s it take to rehabilitate a bird with that kind of injury? Antibiotics, pain drugs to prevent inflammation and lots of physical therapy, Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center officials said.

Wildlife workers said the injuries to all 11 birds found were too similar to be coincidence. All but the surviving bird, which was older and larger than the others, had their radius and ulna bones broken, McGuire said.

There is still a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the attacks. Those with information are asked to call Special Agent Ed Newcomer of the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife at (310) 328-1516.

To view photos of the pelican’s release, click here.

MICHAEL ALEXANDER may be reached at (714) 966-4618 or at michael.alexander@latimes.com.