Several rehabilitated brown pelicans were released into the wild on Thursday morning.
Five pelicans were sent out by SeaWorld into the natural habitat along the Mission Bay Channel off Quivira Way. A few of the pelicans were examined for release, but deemed not well enough to return outside.
The aquatic park received more than 150 pelicans this year that required medical assistance. Some of the birds were underweight, lethargic and had injuries from fishing equipment. But on Thursday morning, a handful of them were able to fly away, healthy once again.
Officials at SeaWorld said that this is a “higher than usual” amount of starving brown pelicans.
Veterinarians at helped nurse the birds back to health by providing them with food, medication and fluid therapy for dehydration.
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