“Wisdom is knowing what to do next; Skill is knowing how to do it; and Virtue is doing it.”

— David Starr Jordan

Brad Graverson/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Staff Photographer

Brown Pelicans warm up with a heated air blower at the International Bird Rescue Research Center in San Pedro where contaminated, wet and cold birds are being rehabilitated.

Brad Graverson/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Staff Photographer

Julie Skoglund, left, and Erica Lander inspect a California Brown Pelican at the International Bird Rescue Research Center in San Pedro, where many contaminated sea birds are being treated. Skoglund is Rehabilitation Manager, Lander, her assistant.

A few dozen very wet, skinny California brown pelicans huddled by heaters at the International Bird Rescue Research Center in San Pedro on Thursday, January 21, 2010.

Near casualties of the series of powerful storms over the past three days, the birds were rescued and are being rehabilitated in balmy rooms with high-protein diets.

"These birds are really contaminated," rehabilitation manager Julie Skoglund said. "That means that there's something on them that makes them not waterproof. They need to be washed and waterproofed."

Storm drain runoff flooded the ocean with trash and contaminates like car oil that seep into the feathers of the pelicans, loosening the natural seal that keeps water from reaching the bird's bodies.

When that happens, water is able to soak the animal and can lead to hypothermia, IBRRC Spokesman Paul Kelway said.

In the past 48 hours, the center has taken in 30 pelicans, Kelway said. Skoglund checked the birds for fish hooks and other injuries at the center. Then, they were given warm cages and food to build up their strength.

When the birds are strong enough, center officials will give them a bath to remove the oil, grease and other contaminants from their feathers. Then, within six days, they will be released.

Peter Wallerstein of Marine Animal Care rescued five cold, disoriented pelicans on Thursday. One was found standing outside a Marina del Rey medical building.

"He was not moving," Wallerstein said. "They are all exhibiting the same type of behavior -- very weak and disoriented. They don't move if people are around."

Local pelicans encountered difficult weather conditions at this time last year when central California storms weakened them and caused many birds to get frostbite on their pouches and feet.

Similarly, affected pelicans were found disoriented in strange places like parking lots and streets.

(c) Los Angeles Newspaper Group