Bird rescuers in Queensland say pelicans on the Sunshine Coast are suffering and dying from botulism at a rate they have not seen in two decades.

Botulism is a form of poisoning caused by toxins produced by clostridium botulinum bacteria — the same toxin used in the popular cosmetic procedure, Botox.

Sisters Bridgette and Paula Powers, who have run Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue for 18 years, have treated 10 pelicans for botulism in the past fortnight alone.

Another four were found dead on Golden Beach in the same period.

"There has been botulism before, but never this many in a short time," said Bridgette Powers, who said the condition can quickly turn lethal.

"We had a special pelican named Silver. We saw him a week ago and then when we found him again, it was too late — he passed away in our arms.

"Botulism took him out and it knocks them real quick."

One of 14 pelicans found on the Sunshine Coast affected by botulism. ( Facebook: Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue )

What has led to the spike?

Avian and wildlife vet Tania Bishop said botulism was not unusual in birds and sea life, particularly during the summer months.

But the combination of shallow waters, leaf matter and hot weather was creating the perfect recipe for the bacteria to thrive — and rain, forecast for the state's south-east this week, could make matters worse.

Dr Tania Bishop caring for a stricken pelican. ( Supplied: Dr Tania Bishop )

"As far as wildlife goes, the weather we have had lately is apocalyptic on every level," Dr Bishop said.

"We have had heat stroke of endangered species, fire affecting numerous species, wind and then — if we get rain after a dry period — it won't just affect the water birds it affects everything down to the macropod species."

Dr Bishop said botulism was one of the most powerful nerve toxins and caused paralysis when ingested.

"Botulism is naturally occurring," she said.

"It is more common in shallower waterways with a lot of organic material at the bottom.

"It is a condition we see in summer, the hot weather is the other combination that makes the bacteria build up in the waterways.

"It is not only pelicans, but other water birds and aquatic species such as turtles, can succumb to botulism.

"It causes paralysis in the case of animals which ingest it, affecting the whole body.

"In people [when injected] it is just the nerves on the face that get paralysed when the toxin is ingested."

There have been 14 sick pelicans rescued by Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue, of which 10 have survived the disease so far. ( Facebook: Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue )

Climate change and more dry, hot conditions would likely lead to an increase in botulism, according to Dr Bishop.

"It is mostly a summer problem," she said.

"With climate change it is becoming more of a problem."

Twinnies' work cut out for them

Botulism can be cured in pelicans and birds if treated early, but Dr Bishop said returning a bird to health requires a lot of supportive care.

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"It requires the dedication of carers like Bridgette and Paula to get them through," she said.

Paula Powers said they had assistance in rescuing some of the birds, including a group of people on a kayak.

"There was a pelican at Maroochydore we were trying to get, but we are not very good swimmers," she said.

"We saw these three guys who helped us get it in.

"It had flown off, but then didn't have the strength to fly anymore and they rounded her up."

Bridgette Powers said the symptoms of botulism in pelicans were the bird "sitting down really low, with its head on its back and its beak open".

"That is the first sign," she said.

"When they are really critical, they are like a dead pelican lying in the sand.

A Sunshine Coast pelican on an intravenous drip. ( Supplied: Tania Bishop )

"We had one like that, that a dog attacked, but then we pulled her through.

"It was such a good feeling to see it recover after a day."

The twins treat the pelicans in their care with an intravenous line, oral fluids and antibiotics for four days.

They are cared for in portable baby cots.

The twins also administer eye drops, as the birds were prone to having no eye reflexes and they needed to keep their eyes moist.