The monetary reward is $6,000. But surely there will be greater
rewards for whomever helps authorities arrest those responsible for
mutilating a pelican, which was treated at a Costa Mesa animal care
facility after being found injured in Huntington Beach last week.
The female brown pelican is improving following surgery, though
there's no telling yet whether the bird's pouch, which almost
certainly was intentionally slit, will stand up to normal wear. And
this bird is lucky. A week earlier, another female pelican was found
in Newport Beach with an even worse wound -- one that damaged the
beak, as well. It died of the injuries.
It is hard to imagine what would drive someone to hurt such a
creature, which is endangered but still is a familiar sight gliding
off Southern Californian shores. Because of the bird's precarious
status -- there are in the neighborhood of 5,000 breeding pairs --
federal penalties for hurting them are stiff: If anyone is caught
they face a year in jail and a $100,000 fine.
It is not the first time pelicans have been targets of such
attacks. About 20 pelicans near San Pedro were mutilated in 2002 and
2003, and there is a history of attacks on the birds dating back much
farther. Authorities in the past have pointed fingers at fishermen,
who compete with pelicans for the same catch of fish.
Money and support have poured into the Huntington Beach Wetlands
and Wildlife Care Center since the pelican was found, an encouraging
development in an otherwise disturbing story. One check even came
from New Jersey to help cover the animal's medical costs.
But all that good faith and effort will still feel hollow if more
injured birds are found. We hope, first of all, that these attacks
are finished and the recovering bird heals fully. If not, though,
then we join all those equally outraged in wishing that whoever might
be involved is found and prosecuted. Such inhumane acts deserve harsh
punishment.
