A Second Chance for an Entangled Brown Pelican
A Second Chance for an Entangled Brown Pelican. One moment of awareness helped change the course of his life. On July 22, 2026, a Wildlife Jewels® Search Scout survey at Crystal Cove State Park became an unexpected rescue mission.
Onyx, the California Brown Pelican July 2026. © Wildlife Jewels
A Second Chance for an Entangled Brown Pelican
One moment of awareness helped change the course of his life.
On July 22, 2026, a Wildlife Jewels Search Scout survey at Crystal Cove State Park became an unexpected rescue mission.
As Wildlife Jewels Founder and Executive Director Azi Sharif began walking toward the beach, she noticed a park vehicle leaving the area. Knowing that local seabirds had recently been facing starvation and a growing fishing-gear entanglement crisis, she stopped to ask park staff whether any birds were in distress.
They alerted her to an entangled Brown Pelican on the beach.
Azi immediately returned to her vehicle, gathered Wildlife Jewels rescue equipment and a large pelican transport crate, and headed down the long trail to find him.
When she reached the beach, the pelican was still mobile and could have entered the water at any moment. Through careful coordination with others nearby, he was safely guided, captured, and secured in the transport crate.
Onyx was then transported to Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center for expert medical and rehabilitation care, where his journey toward healing began.
At the time of rescue, his injured wing appeared severe, and his future remained uncertain.
But rescue creates possibility.
This story is a powerful reminder of why every observation matters. Being present, paying attention, and acting at the right moment can give an injured wild animal a second chance.
From his rescue to the expert medical and rehabilitation care that followed, a community of compassion gave Onyx a second chance—and his story was only beginning.
Every life matters. Every moment of awareness can lead to hope.
Watch the rescue story below, and stay tuned for the next chapter of Onyx's remarkable journey.
If you see an entangled, injured, or distressed bird in the La Jolla area, please report it immediately:
wildlifejewels.org/report-wildlife
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.
Wildlife Jewels® Rescue Crew: The Story of an Entangled Brown Pelican Rescue
July 22, 2026
Crystal Cove State Park, CA
Join us and together let’s work to ensure safety of our precious wildlife!
A Growing Crisis: Entangled Cormorants at Point La Jolla
Wildlife Jewels documented at least 10 entangled cormorants in one day at Point La Jolla. Learn about this growing seabird entanglement crisis and ongoing monitoring efforts.
One of at least 10 entangled cormorants documented at Point La Jolla during a Wildlife Jewels Search Scout survey. Photographed from a distance via zoom. © Wildlife Jewels® / Azi Sharif, July 25, 2026.
A Growing Crisis: Entangled Cormorants at Point La Jolla
On July 25, 2026, Wildlife Jewels documented at least 10 entangled cormorants in a single day at Point La Jolla.
The birds were observed during a Wildlife Jewels Search Scout survey and photographed from a distance using a zoom lens. All 10 birds were located on the closed bluff, where public access is prohibited and rescue options are extremely limited.
Over the past month, Wildlife Jewels has documented a sudden and deeply concerning increase in cormorants affected by fishing line and hooks in this area. Several birds appeared to have fishing line wrapped around their bodies, wings, bills, or legs, placing them at risk of injury, restricted movement, starvation, infection, and death.
The location of these birds makes the situation especially challenging. Because they are resting within the closed bluff area, responders cannot simply enter the site to attempt a rescue. Each case requires careful observation, documentation, coordination with the appropriate agencies, and evaluation of whether a safe and authorized rescue pathway is available.
Wildlife Jewels is continuing to monitor the birds' condition, document changes, report cases, and explore every possible rescue pathway.
This is an evolving situation, and we will continue providing updates as more information becomes available.
If you see an entangled, injured, or distressed bird in the La Jolla area, please report it immediately:
wildlifejewels.org/report-wildlife
Community reports play an important role in helping responders locate wildlife in need, assess conditions, and determine whether rescue may be possible.
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!
Young Sea Lion Rescued From Dangerous Fishing Line Entanglement in La Jolla
Wildlife Jewels documented a yearling sea lion badly entangled in fishing line in La Jolla before SeaWorld Rescue successfully rescued her. Learn how discarded fishing gear threatens marine wildlife.
Make it stand out
On Saturday, during our EYES monitoring in La Jolla, we observed a yearling sea lion badly entangled in fishing line.An adult sea lion appeared close beside her, gently nuzzling near the entangled area — a heartbreaking moment to witness.
The following day, our team returned to monitor the area, and we were so relieved to see SeaWorld Rescue successfully rescue her.Fishing line is deadly for wildlife. Please always pack out fishing gear, report distressed wildlife as soon as possible while you are still observing the animal, and report illegal fishing activity in Marine Protected Areas to CalTIP at 1-888-334-2258.
Thank you to everyone who reported this precious sea lion pup over the past weeks, and huge thanks to the SeaWorld Rescue team for rescuing her and giving her a chance. We wish this precious sea lion a safe recovery and hope she can return to the wild soon.
To join our team of EYES® wildlife observers, learn more and apply here.
To help us support seabird rescue efforts, apply to join the Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew!
We are currently seeking volunteers to help with seabird search & rescue support in La Jolla, North County San Diego, and Orange County coastal, CA.
Join us and together let’s work to ensure safety of our precious wildlife!
La Jolla Seal Pup Seen Free of Plastic Ring at Children’s Pool After 11 Days
La Jolla Seal Pup Seen Free of Plastic Ring at Children’s Pool After 11 Days
Kyanite the Seal, La Jolla, CA May 5,, 2026 © Wildlife Jewels
During yesterday’s EYES coastal wildlife observation field day at Children’s Pool in La Jolla, our team spent the evening observing local wildlife, including seals, and seabirds along the shoreline and cliffs.
As the sun began to lower, we spotted the precious seal pup who had first been seen entangled with a thick orange plastic ring around her neck on April 25. Seeing the ring still tightly around such a young pup after 11 days was heartbreaking and beyond concerning. Plastic and other human-caused debris can quickly become life-threatening for marine mammals, especially growing pups.
The sighting was immediately reported, and we remained nearby continuing to observe from a distance.
Not long afterward, in an incredible moment, the pup was seen safely free of the ring 💙
Watching her resting without the thick plastic around her neck after days of concern was amazing to witness. Moments like these remind us how important wildlife observation, documentation, and rapid reporting can be for animals in distress.
We’ve named this resilient little pup Kyanite, after the ocean-blue gemstone associated with healing, resilience, and balance.
Her story is also a reminder of the devastating impacts plastic and marine debris continue to have on wildlife along our coast. Every piece of debris removed from beaches and waterways can help prevent suffering for marine animals like Kyanite. You can help Wildlife Jewels remove marine debris by joining our Sweep for Wildlife group.
Please always keep a safe distance from marine mammals and report injured or entangled wildlife to appropriate responders.
To join our team of EYES™ wildlife observers, learn more and apply here.
To help us support seabird rescue efforts, apply to join the Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew!
We are currently seeking volunteers to help with seabird search & rescue support in La Jolla, North County San Diego, and Orange County coastal, CA.
Kyanite the Seal, May 5 2026 La Jolla, CA
Join us and together let’s work to ensure safety of our precious wildlife!
A Second Chance for an Entangled Brown Pelican. One moment of awareness helped change the course of his life. On July 22, 2026, a Wildlife Jewels® Search Scout survey at Crystal Cove State Park became an unexpected rescue mission.