Saving a pelican

While on vacation my family and I headed to the beach. Of course my camera accompanied me and as I was taking photos I spotted this pelican riding... more

by Jessica Brown

Title

Saving a pelican

Artist

Jessica Brown

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

While on vacation my family and I headed to the beach. Of course my camera accompanied me and as I was taking photos I spotted this pelican riding waves towards the shore. I stood enjoying this unusual encounter and taking his photo until I noticed fishing line coming from him. I remained looking through my lens at him and saw he was hooked! I called to a stranger and told him the bird was hooked, he let me know if I could catch him we could save him. He wasn't able to fly and wouldn't make it otherwise. So camera around my neck, my mother with my children, I began to follow the pelican in hopes of catching him. I did catch the fishing line twice only to lose i,t once to the tide and once to the bird moving. Stanley, the man who I asked for help, came out to assist me and together we kept the bird from going any further down the beach or in the water. We finally got the fishing line and Stanley walked the bird to him. After distracting the bird my mother held on to his beak while Stanley attempted to remove the hook that was in his wing. We saved this pelican that day..a local bird lover took him in to nurse him back to health. I didn't know how often this happens and it's sad to learn this is a frequent thing. I hope to help bring awareness to those fishing, don't cut the line..help the birds you hook. To find out how you can help check out http://www.seabirdsanctuary.com/Unhook_A_Bird.html I am sure there are more bird lovers, sanctuaries, and rehab facilities out there. Do your part, they are beautiful creatures.

Uploaded

April 5th, 2013