A number of pelicans affected by an oil spill in the Rockingham area are now ready to be released back into the wild.
Over 45 pelicans have been found covered in oil over the last couple of months, but authorities are still yet to find the source of the spill.
They were rescued by Western Australian Seabird Rescue volunteers and taken into care by the WA Wildlife hospital in Bibra Lake and Darling Range Wildlife Shelter in Martin.
The mammoth rehabilitation process involved an extensive washing program to remove the oil from the birds' feathers.
One of the oiled pelicans. PIC: WA Wildlife/Facebook
The next phase will be releasing the pelicans back into their natural habitat.
In a Western Australian first, the birds will be fitted with GPS trackers so researchers can trace their movements and hopefully find the location of the oil spill.
“Through this innovative tracking project, we hope to pinpoint the location and source of the oil contamination, which has remained elusive despite extensive efforts to identify it,” Seabird Ecologist Dr Erin Clitheroe said.
More rehabilitated pelicans are expected to be released in the coming weeks as they regain their strength.
Sightings of oiled, distressed or injured wildlife in Western Australia can be made by calling the Wildcare Helpline (08) 9474 9055.
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