This film is the outcome of a nine week summer 2012 production course at UCSB called Blue Horizons. In this program,18 aspiring student filmmakers were challenged with producing short environmental documentaries about local issues in the Santa Barbara and Ventura California area.
In early 2012, a total of seven Brown California Pelicans were found maimed and abused by humans along the shores of Ventura and Santa Barbara. The range of abuse spanned from broken wings, to snapped beaks, to slit necks. These birds are a federal protected species. The punishment for hurting California Brown Pelicans are serve. Being convicted of such a crime can carry heavy fines and jail time. There was an investigation launched, but no suspects were ever prosecuted. The attacks on Californian Brown Pelicans still continues.
Using the continued abuse of the California Brown Pelican as an example, we highlight the interaction between humans and animals in the Santa Barbara area. The Pelican Grief urges viewers to evaluate and improve their own personal relationships with nature.