Beach Visitors Use Kayak to Reach Pelican Trapped in Fishing Line

Written by Leandra Little of Florida

My husband Steve and I were strolling along the bayside of beautiful Anna Maria Island when something in the beach scrub caught the eye of our small terrier who ran right over to investigate. Up flew a beautiful juvenile brown pelican. Sadly, he was dragging a long line of fishing tackle. He managed to make it about 20 yards out over the water before he came crashing down, weighted with the seaweed and other debris caught in the line. We could only guess at how long this bird had been so encumbered. But he didn’t seem to be injured, just entangled. We knew we had to do something.

We ran back to our friend Dave’s beach house and requisitioned a kayak, towel and knife. Dave came out to lend moral support and helped steady the kayak as Steve climbed in.

Steve quickly paddled out to the poor bird who did not attempt to flee. He then jumped out of the kayak into the waist-deep acquamarine water. He gently grasped the line and headed back to shore towing his unlikely unresisting “dingy.”

When they reached the shore we gently placed the towel over the great bird’s head and lifted him out of the water. Again he did not resist, flap his wings, try to bite or try to escape. Dave took pictures as our pelican lay there patiently while we worked to remove the line. Once the line was cut away and we could see no apparent skin damage, we removed the towel and stepped back.

Our terrier (smaller than the bird) once more went over to investigate… at that, “Steve’s pelican” gave a quick start, flapped his wings and regained the sky. He circled over once and disappeared.

Brought to you by The Great Animal Rescue Chase, the place where heroes come out to play.

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