Rehabilitated brown pelicans released in Sausalito

Twenty-seven rehabilitated brown pelicans were released from Fort Baker in Sausalito on Friday.

The group of seabirds was the largest to be returned to the wild following a recent surge in ailing birds admitted to International Bird Rescue’s two wildlife centers.

Since mid-April, more than 370 pelicans have been treated for injury or starvation. Nearly 100 of the birds have been rehabilitated and released. There are still 137 pelicans being treated at the center’s Fairfield facilities and 45 more in Los Angeles, said Russ Curtis, a spokesperson for the wildlife center.

Wildlife experts are unsure about what is causing the crisis, but suspect that changes in the ocean environment and strong spring storms may have played a part. An investigation is underway.