Blue-Banded Pelican 429: A Wildlife Rescue Success Story at Point La Jolla
Blue-banded Brown Pelican 429 at Point La Jolla, CA. Photographed from a distance via zoom. © Wildlife Jewels® / Azi Sharif, June 24, 2026.
Every Observation Matters. Every Life Matters.
During one of Wildlife Jewels® Rescue Crew’s routine Search Scout surveys at Point La Jolla, we observed a Brown Pelican wearing a blue leg band marked 429.
Through our routine coastal surveys, Wildlife Jewels® volunteers search for injured, sick, entangled, distressed, and deceased birds while documenting wildlife activity, human-caused threats, banded wildlife, and other important observations through our EYES® program.
We photographed the pelican and submitted the sighting to International Bird Rescue’s Blue-banded Pelican Program—and soon learned his remarkable story.
Pelican 429 is a juvenile male who was rescued in Laguna Beach on January 1, 2026. He was stabilized at Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center before being transferred to International Bird Rescue’s Los Angeles Wildlife Center for continued care.
He was treated for extensive traumatic injuries, including a fractured wing, pouch laceration, serious foot injuries, and bilateral bumblefoot. After months of expert treatment and rehabilitation, he was released in San Pedro on April 8, 2026.
Our sightings at Point La Jolla on June 24 helped document his post-release well-being and continued journey in the wild.
Reports of banded birds provide valuable information about migration, movement, plumage and molt, survival, lifespan, band integrity, and the long-term success of wildlife rehabilitation.
This is why consistent field monitoring matters. A routine survey can help locate an animal needing urgent assistance—or contribute an important piece of information about an individual animal’s recovery.
Every survey matters. Every report matters. Every life matters.
Thank you to International Bird Rescue and Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center for giving Pelican 429 a second chance.
Join Wildlife Jewels EYES or Rescue Crew Search Scout to help us survey coastal areas, document wildlife, identify animals in need, and contribute observations that support wildlife protection and conservation.
Every Observation Matters: Blue-Banded Pelican 429 Spotted at Point La Jolla After Rehabilitation.
Blue-banded Brown Pelican 429 at Point La Jolla, CA. Photographed from a distance via zoom. © Wildlife Jewels® / Azi Sharif, June 24, 2026.
For reporting guidelines in San Diego or Orange County, visit: wildlifejewels.org/report-wildlife
For general emergency and harassment reporting see our Rescue Resources for San Diego County HERE.
Join the Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew to help us track cases, report hrassments, support next steps when needed, and connect animals with authorized care. Trained volunteers may also assist with the rescue and transport of birds.
Join us and together let’s work to ensure safety of our precious wildlife!