Rescued pelican lives to fly another day
A pelican has been rescued and nursed back to health after it swallowed a fishing line and hook.
Mary Geyer, from Carnarvon Rehabilitation of Wildlife, said she got the call to catch the ill looking
pelican on Sunday, July 29, but wasn’t able to catch bird until the following Tuesday.
After rehydrating the pelican, Mrs Geyer organised for an operation later in the week with CoralCoast Vet Hospital.
The operation revealed a tangle of fishing wire and a hook.
After the items were removed, along with some worms, the bird recovered rapidly.
Mrs Geyer said it wasn’t long before the pelican was nursed back to its full health and putting
on weight again.
The recovering bird was eating about 2kg of fish a day and healed so quickly that by the time the
Northern Guardian went to visit and get a photograph last week, it had recovered and flown off to
continue life in the wild.
Mrs Geyer said the community had always been supportive of her work, especially the vet, which
charged a discounted rate for the operation.
She thanked everyone who took the time to call and bring in injured wildlife and donate funds
to Carnarvon Rehabilitation of Wildlife.
Donation tins for CROW can be found around town and anyone wishing to make a donation can
also visit Coral Coast Vet Hospital or call Mrs Geyer on 0439 694 317.
Mrs Geyer took on an injured wedge-tailed eagle on Friday after it was brought in to her looking
like it had been hit by a truck or car.
