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Krista Jennings, Tucson Wildlife Center veterinary technician, holds a young Brown Pelican while vets get prepared to check on the pelican at Tucson Wildlife Center, 13275 E. Speedway Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz on July 2, 2020. This is the first Brown Pelican brought to The Tucson Wildlife Center this year, said Lisa Bates, executive director for Tucson Wildlife Center. Young Brown Pelicans are not common in Arizona but will sometimes show up during monsoon seasons due to increased wind speeds and storms, according to Bates. Brown Pelicans found in Arizona are rehabbed until they are able to travel. Once they are able to travel, the Brown Pelicans are taken to San Diego to finish their treatments and are then released back into their natural habit, said Bates. Usually a few Brown Pelicans are found in Arizona every monsoon season, according to Bates.
