Another Dead Pelican

There was a report in the newspaper this week about pelicans being found paralyzed or dead all over the Keys with botulism-like symptoms. Today I removed the band from another little guy washed up on the beach, just feet from where the last one made its final landing. Pelican #0938-53588 was banded in North Carolina last July. I can't help but wonder if these birds are falling victim to the same disease. Hard to say. I can say that the ones here are most definitely dead, though. Eeew- smelly...