Reintroduction and Colony Expansion of the Brown Pelican in Louisiana
The eastern brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) virtually disappeared from Louisiana by 1963. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (FGFWFC) reintroduced from Florida to southeastern Louisiana 1,276 fledgling pelicans at 3 release sites between 1968 and 1980. Florida transplants established 2 restored nesting populations, 1 at North Island in the Chandeleur Island chain and 1 at Queen Bess Island in Barataria Bay. The LDWF transplanted 149 fledglings from the Queen Bess colony to Last Island, Isles...