pelican
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Mayport, Florida -- Bird experts in Jacksonville are trying to figure out what killed a dozen pelicans in Mayport and sickened more than 100 others.

The recent deaths come just weeks after the mysterious deaths of thousands of birds falling from the sky in Arkansas.

Cindy Moseling, who's been caring for and rehabilitating birds at Bird Emergency Aid and Kare Sanctuary on Big Talbot Island for decades, said she has seen her feathered friends die for various reasons, but is especially concerned this time.

"The last few days, we've had quite a bit of birds dying," Moseling said.

She said she's found the pelicans dead near the St. Johns River and seen at least 100 more that don't look healthy. She said it's because of something in the water.

"There's something on their feathers that's taking their ability to repel water," Moseling said. "They've lost their protection from the cold."

Without natural oils that, in effect, waterproof the pelicans, the large water birds are susceptible to hypothermia from cold temperatures, and that's probably why they're dying, Moseling said.

Moseling and volunteers for BEAKS have been collecting the dead birds and trying to save those that seem to be affected. She said the sick birds have darker feathers because they're wet, and they've been spreading their wings in an effort to dry out.

"That's what you see up and down the river," Moseling said.

She and other bird experts don't know exactly what's wrong, but they do know something is wrong. Moseling said the deaths point to an unhealthy St. Johns River.

"The birds are telling us something," she said. "The birds are screaming as loud as they can, and no one's listening."

While the cause of the deaths is still undetermined, Moseling and the workers at BEAKS said they're doing everything they can to save the beautiful birds, but they need the community's help.

"There's a lot of birds, just a few of us," Moseling said. "We'll be looking for volunteers."

To help BEAKS, call 904-251-2473. The sanctuary is located at 10084 Houston Avenue on Big Talbot Island.