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Troubling numbers for California's brown pelican population

Flickr member Britta Heise

California's brown pelican population is in danger once again, as a new survey shows breeding numbers are in a drastic decline.

The birds mate in Mexico's Gulf of California typically numbering offspring in the thousands. However, this year the number of young totaled just 16.

One theory regarding the low nesting rates is that they indicate a sooner-than-expected El Niño event. Low breeding numbers are often associated with El Niño conditions, however, this year, the pelicans began showing signs of trouble well ahead of this summer.

The annual research is done by a scientist at UC Davis who has tracked the birds for 46 years.