Myrtle Beach Pelicans Face Crisis as Wildlife Rescue Works to Save Sick Birds

Myrtle Beach Pelicans in Distress: A Call for Help

If you’ve been strolling the sandy shores of Myrtle Beach recently, you might have noticed something a bit off—pelicans landing on the beach looking sick and unable to fly. Well, it’s not just a fluke! The Myrtle Beach Wildlife Rescue Center has been on a rescue mission, saving nearly two dozen of these majestic birds in less than two weeks.

Unusual Sightings

Imagine being on vacation, soaking up the sun when suddenly a pelican lands right where you’re lounging. You’d probably think, “What on earth is going on?” That’s exactly what Pam Spruill experienced when she spotted a pelican that looked like it was in trouble. “We just saw this pelican. It just landed and I’ve never seen a pelican land on the beach before. You could just tell something was wrong with it,” she shared. And Pam wasn’t alone—wildlife rescue officials have been receiving reports from the Cherry Grove area all the way down to Pawley Island.

The Underlying Issue

So, what’s causing this influx of sick pelicans? According to experts at the Myrtle Beach Wildlife Rescue Center, a range of issues have been affecting these birds. They’ve spotted cases of bacterial respiratory infections and various parasites draining the strength from these beautiful creatures. This dire situation is leading them to become grounded as they wait for help.

Kimberly Cerimele, who heads up the rescue center, noted, “It’s kind of a failure to thrive thing because it has to do with the water source and their food sources are diminishing. A lot of them are starting to starve to death.” It’s heartbreaking to think of these birds struggling when they should be soaring through our sunny skies.

Rescue Efforts in Action

Over the span of just ten days from September 2-12, wildlife rescuers managed to rescue 20 pelicans, and they’re still counting! Cerimele explained how the situation escalated: “It kind of just started off with one, and then we got our 20th one yesterday.” The team carefully transports these sick birds to the Center for Birds of Prey located near Charleston, where they receive the necessary medical attention. Thankfully, the news isn’t all doom and gloom; the majority of the pelicans are reportedly responding well to treatment.

A Community Call to Action

“Maybe some more signage to put up for people to have with numbers to call if they see something like that,” she suggested.

She also observed some beachgoers getting a little too close to the sick bird she reported. She wants to remind everyone that it’s important to keep a safe distance and leave the rescuing to the pros. If you spot a pelican struggling, the best thing to do is to call for help, stay back, and let the experts handle the situation.

Hope on the Horizon

Even though the situation is concerning, it’s encouraging to hear that most pelicans are recovering. Let’s support our local rescue efforts and keep our eyes peeled. With a little awareness and action, we can ensure that our feathered friends can someday return to the skies.