Attending to sick wild pelicans, Port Lincoln area.

Thursday 11 June 2018

The southern Eyre Duty Ranger at Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula is currently responding to reports of pelicans coated in a viscous brown material.

One affected pelican has been flown to Australian Marine Wildlife Research and Rescue Organisation (AMWRRO) in Adelaide after being found at the Port Lincoln Town Jetty on Saturday.

The coating does not appear to be oil and tests are being conducted to determine what it is.

Anyone with information on this material and how the pelicans may be coming into contact with it should call the Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula duty ranger on 8688 3223.

Update: Thursday 18 July 2018

In early June Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula rangers responded to more than 25 reports of pelicans in the Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay area which were covered in a thick substance that was limiting their ability to fly.

Some of the birds were captured and were either treated by a local vet or provided to a wildlife rescue organisation for rehabilitation.

Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula has also been working with the EPA and other agencies to determine the possible source of the substance but no source has been verified.

The NR EP ranger team and the local vet clinic have not had any further sick pelicans.

The public should continue to provide reports of sick and injured wildlife to the Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula Duty Ranger on 8688 3223.