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Released
pelicans prepare for take
off. (Photo: John Dommers
) |
When
hundreds of starving young pelicans
began showing up on Southern California
beaches the summer of 2004, IBRRC’s
San Pedro center was the premier
facility where these beloved birds
could get a second chance at life.
But how would we pay for the thousands
of pounds of fish we needed to save
them?
We knew the public
wanted to help, so we developed
our Adopt
a Pelican program. The instant
word got out, that individual pelicans
could be “adopted for life,” our
phones started ringing. The program
was such a success that we have
now adopted every pelican that was
successfully rehabilitated and released
over 150 birds, so far. Next year
we will be expanding the program
to include herons, egrets, ducklings
and other species.
To thank all the wonderful
people who adopted pelicans, we
invited them to the San Pedro center,
Sunday, September 12, 2004. Festivities
for the pelican adopters included
music by Stucco Rainbow, presentations
about the history of IBRRC and our
pelican rehabilitation program.
A behind the scenes tour of the
center allowed everyone to see the
many pelicans in care, up close.
As a grand finale, we banded and
released four pelicans at Cabrillo
beach.
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| Pelican
adopters listen to IBRRC's
Executive Director, Jay Holcomb,
explain how their interest
helped save more birds at
the San Pedro center (Photo:
John Dommers) |
It was a grand day,
for the people and the pelicans.
We look forward to seeing everyone
again at our next
open house and art auction and
sale, Sunday, December 12th, from
2 PM - 5 PM.
Also see: Bruce
and Lisa Toloski's pelicans released
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