Dozens of Starving Pelicans Rescued in Storms

San Pedro - More than 100 starving brown pelicans were rescued during this week's rainstorms, and more weak birds are expected, according to a bird rescue center.

The birds were collected all along the coast. To prevent overcrowding, they were divided between centers in Los Angeles and San Francisco, said Jay Holcomb, director of the International Bird Rescue Research Center in San Pedro.

San Pedro is caring for more than 60 weather-beaten pelicans, while 45 found between Sonoma County and Santa Barbara have been sent to the San Francisco Bay facility in Fairfield.

"Many brown pelicans have been found soaking wet and in a critical condition," Holcomb said. "Since the storms kept coming, one after another, the wet birds did not have time to dry off and feed, and are becoming weak and hypothermic."

Though the rain has stopped, more birds are expected in the centers over the coming days, said rescue center spokesman Paul Kelway.

"While waterproof feathers usually allow pelicans to float and stay insulated from weather changes, the current massive runoff from storms has brought even more grease, car oil sheen, fish oils and other forms of surface pollution into the coastal areas where these birds feed," Kelway said.