Brown Pelican Recovery and Ongoing Threats

The brown pelican recovered from near-extinction due to DDT, but continues to face oil spills, fishing gear entanglement, and human disturbance.

Key Facts

Brown pelican populations plummeted 90% due to DDT thinning eggshells
The species was removed from the Endangered Species List in 2009
They plunge-dive from heights of 10 meters to catch fish
Oil coating pelicans destroys the waterproofing of their feathers
Monofilament fishing line entanglement is a leading cause of pelican injury today

Welfare Considerations

Brown pelicans face welfare threats across their entire life cycle. Chicks in crowded colonies are vulnerable to trampling and heat stress when flushed by human disturbance. Fishing hook ingestion causes internal injury and slow death. Monofilament entanglement causes limb loss and drowning. Oil spill contamination destroys feather insulation, causing hypothermia even in warm climates. Pelican rehabilitation is possible but resource-intensive. Prevention through responsible fishing practices and protected nesting colonies is the most effective welfare intervention.

What You Can Do

Use coreless braided line instead of monofilament when fishing, or use line retrieval bins
Give pelican nesting colonies wide berth during breeding season
Participate in beach cleanups to remove fishing gear and monofilament
Donate to pelican rehabilitation centers
Advocate for fishing gear regulations near pelican nesting areas