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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says American white pelicans nesting at Chase Lake are at near-record numbers.

In 2004, most of the pelicans had disappeared from Chase Lake. Experts stated that it could have been a number of reasons. Neil Shook is the Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge Manager.

The latest count by officials sits at roughly 33,694 breeding adults. That’s up from about 27,000 birds in 2015. The white pelican colony at the refuge north of Medina peaked at 35,466 birds in 2000. Shook says the current count is reminiscent of the past flock numbers at the refuge.

The pelicans normally stay in North Dakota through September, raising their young and feasting at small prairie ponds within a 100-mile radius of the refuge.