On November 2, 2025 multiple areas of the Gulf Coast and some inland areas were hit by a surprise hail storm.  Some of the hail was reported to be over the size of softballs.  Not only homes, vehicles and businesses receive substantial damage, our wild bird population took a severe hit.  

There were reports of over 2,000 wild birds that were severely injured and killed. TPWD brought the ARK on Port Aransas over 300 birds in 36 hours.  As they performed triage they reached out to other rehabs to assist in caring for the birds that had been saved.  WRC was asked to take in some Pelicans.

We went and picked up five Brown Pelicans our first trip. Our second trip we picked up nine more. Each had long term care needs.  As time passed we received five more storm injured pelis from other locations. 

All nineteen pelicans received injuries such as broken wings and broken legs, one had a skull fracture and two had damage to one eye. 

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We are happy to announce 18 of the 19 brown pelicans in our care were released. 

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