When the Animal Legal Defense Fund announced the $5,500 reward, a total of 32 birds had been mutilated along the coast between San Clemente and Huntington Beach over the course of eight months.
According to the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center, at least 22 of the rescued pelicans had their wings broken so severely that bones came through the skin. The pinpointed, blunt trauma injuries, found consistently among all of the pelicans, led wildlife officials to believe the birds were attacked by humans.
Two more dead birds have since been found, totaling 34 wounded pelicans. Most pelicans did not survive, and those who did needed emergency surgery and long-term care, the Animal Legal Defense Fund said in a statement.
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Who Is Killing Orange County s Pelicans? $25K Reward Offered
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