MELBOURNE, Fla. — Injured birds are being seen on Brevard County beaches of late — some with broken wings, others dying because of the challenges of migration.
What You Need To Know
The Florida Wildlife Hospital is seeing an influx of injured pelicans and gannets on Brevard County beaches
Caregivers believe many of the pelican injuries appear to be intentional, while gannets seem to be having migration difficulties
If you see one of these potentially injured birds on Brevard beaches, call Florida Wildlife Hospital at 321-254-8843
There are several injured pelicans that have been taken in by Florida Wildlife Hospital in Melbourne.
Each is on the mend, and caregivers don’t believe the injuries happened naturally.
“The last couple years, we’ve had some pelicans coming in with very suspicious wing fractures that did not appear to be trauma. It appeared to be intentional harming,” said Tracy Frampton, the hospital’s executive director.
The hospital and others are collaborating with the University of Florida Veterinary Forensic Sciences Lab, reviewing records of injured animals.
Some have a single broken wing likely caused by a human, but others are dead, and autopsies will be performed this week to document the injuries and determine the cause.
Frampton said they’ve also seen an influx of northern gannets. Those birds live out over the ocean and only come to shore to breed.
Most are juveniles experiencing their first migration, and it’s taking a toll on their bodies.
“They’ve been fighting the weather, the waves, they haven’t been able to eat for days,” Frampton said. “And they wash ashore, and by the time they wash ashore, their muscle mass is deteriorated. Their health has deteriorated.”
Being diving birds, their legs are far back on their bodies, making it difficult to walk on land.
Frampton said that all 101 gannets they’ve brought in have died.
“We’re not suspecting avian flu, but we are sending some samples off just in case,” she said.
Beachgoers are asked not to disturb the birds as it stresses them out further.
Many pass away naturally on the beach.
Anybody who sees one of these potentially injured birds on Brevard beaches is urged to call Florida Wildlife Hospital at 321-254-8843.