The decline of brown pelicans on the Louisiana and Texas Gulf Coast

Since 1920, the population of brown pelicans has significantly decreased in Texas and Louisiana. With a population of 50000 to 85000 in Louisiana and 5000 in Texas, the brown pelican has diminished to less than 100 in Texas. Originally, mortality was attributed to hunters and fishermen as well as hurricanes, disease, and freezing weather. In the 1960s, mortality was attributed to pesticides found in fish. This resulted in poor reproductive success caused by shell thinning.