A 3-year-old brown pelican was found injured and unable to feed itself for at least a day at the San Pedro Pier. Reports from a bird rescue group described cuts running parallel to the jaw, straight through the back of the neck, and into the feathered skin.

On March 10, a member of a local sport-fishing crew discovered the disoriented bird and tried to help by tossing it a fish. The pelican managed to catch the fish with its beak, but due to its exposed and damaged pouch, the snack slipped out.

The concerned fisherman then took the bird two miles to International Bird Rescue for care and rehabilitation. The organization provided an update on Thursday, stating that the brown pelican, affectionately named “Blue,” is making progress, eating well, and has gained nearly two pounds.

Russ Curtis, the communications manager for the group, expressed optimism about Blue’s recovery, emphasizing the importance of the pouch as a vital organ for brown pelicans to scoop up and swallow fish.

‘If it’s cut, it’s a death sentence,’ Curtis explained. Blue underwent emergency surgery requiring 400 stitches by the organization’s chief veterinarian, Dr. Rebecca Duerr; additional 100 stitches were needed later for the mouth area.

“The back of Blue’s mouth required careful reconstruction but came together well,” Dr. Duerr reported.

Blue was observed in the flight aviary at International Bird Rescue, attempting to eat small fish from a crate in a video posted on YouTube by the organization.

The Chief Executive, JD Bergeron, expressed gratitude for the public’s support in saving Blue and highlighted the belief that human hands caused the pelican’s injuries.

Dr. Duerr, who is also the director of research and veterinary science at International Bird Rescue, noted that the wounds resembled deliberate cutting by a sharp object like a knife or machete.

The incident brought back memories of a similar deliberate attack on another brown pelican, “Pink,” years ago. Pink underwent surgeries and recovery at the same aviary Blue is currently in, and was eventually released back into the wild.

Curtis mentioned that this is the first known human-inflicted injury on a bird encountered by International Bird Rescue this year, calling it a tragic reflection of society.

The injuries were reported to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for investigation into the matter.

Captain Patrick Foy from the department’s enforcement division acknowledged previous instances of injured pelicans but stated the need for thorough investigation before attributing the wounds to human actions.

The investigation remains ongoing, and both International Bird Rescue and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife encourage the public to provide any information through the tip line at 888-334-2258.