First it was the chicken, and now it's the Pelicans.
There's been an outbreak of Avian Influenza in brown pelicans in Honduras and Mexico. Tonight, BAHA and wildlife experts are concerned that it could be affecting pelicans in Belize.
This morning on sunup on 7, wildlife expert Marissa Tellez said that the Crocodile Rescue Coalition has been receiving numerous calls about sick pelicans in the Placencia Lagoon area, many of them appearing without any visible external injury.
Here's what she told the Sunup hosts this morning:
Dr. Marisa Tellez, Executive Director, CRC
"There is the possibility these brown Pelicans may have even influenza, so we know there's been an outbreak in Honduras and Mexico. We are right in between, so its possible that the reason that we're seeing these ill Pelicans right now that are passing away along the coast is due to Avian Influenza. I do know that there has been some testing, so far all the Pelicans have come out negative here in Belize, but BAHA, if anyone right now sees any sick Pelican or any sick birds is not to touch them, just leave them alone but to contact BAHA or contact Forest Department."
