The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network is alerting the public to an unusual influx of distressed seabirds being reported across the region.

The nonprofit said 32 California brown pelicans were brought to its center during the first two weeks of March from across Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. The organization also said there have been recent reports of deceased pelicans in unusual locations, including along the side of the freeway.

Pelicans have been arriving emaciated and dehydrated and the group is also seeing an increase in murres, cormorants and grebes needing help. SBWCN said its team is working to monitor and respond to the situation, but it is too early to state the cause of the pelicans’ distress.

Pam Perrimon, SBWCN’s education and communications coordinator, said the birds are being brought to the center through a mix of calls and intakes involving members of the public, rescue transporters and county animal control.

While the nonprofit has seen similar incidents of distressed seabirds before, Perrimon said she could not say whether this one is related.

Perrimon said the nonprofit issued an alert last week to let the community know it is aware of the issue and available as a resource.

She said anyone who spots a distressed pelican or seabird in Santa Barbara or Ventura counties should call the SBWCN HELPline at 805.681.1080 before attempting a rescue.

SBWCN said animals should never be touched with bare hands, especially if a bird is falling over, losing balance or seizing. In those situations, people should call and wait for assistance.

Perrimon said members of the public do not need to bring deceased birds to the center, but reporting their locations to the HELPline provides useful tracking information for the network.