By Letitia Stein
TAMPA, Fla. (Reuters) - Brown pelicans with slit throat pouches have been washing up this month in south Florida, triggering community outcry as authorities investigate what they suspect are serial slashings.
About 10 birds have died, and another four were injured, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The culprit apparently used a knife to slit the large gullets beneath their beaks, spokesman Robert Dube said.
The birds use the oversized pouches to swallow fish skimmed from the water. Once slashed, they can starve to death.
"It's a slow, agonizing death for these animals," Dube said.
The maimed pelicans have been turning up around the lower Florida Keys, located in the southernmost part of the state.
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