Home » Home » Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Rescues Injured Pelican

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Rescues Injured Pelican

By  //  February 6, 2016

had a fishing lure hooked into his foot, wing

When officers circled the boat to help the pelican, the limping bird flopped into the water and tried swimming away. Turns out the juvenile brown pelican had a fishing lure hooked into the webbing of his foot and wing.After about 5 minutes of maneuvering the FWC law enforcement boats, Officer Suttles manages to catch the bird. (MyFWC image)
When officers circled the boat to help the pelican, the limping bird flopped into the water and tried swimming away. Turns out the juvenile brown pelican had a fishing lure hooked into the webbing of his foot and wing.After about 5 minutes of maneuvering the FWC law enforcement boats, Officer Suttles manages to catch the bird. (MyFWC image)

Officers James Suttles and Laird Canfield were checking out a derelict vessel when they spotted a pelican in trouble.

When officers circled the boat to help it, the limping bird flopped into the water and tried swimming away.

Turns out the juvenile brown pelican had a fishing lure hooked into the webbing of his foot and wing.

After about 5 minutes of maneuvering the FWC law enforcement boats, Officer Suttles manages to catch the bird.

Officer Laird Canfield holds the pelican while Officer James Suttles examines how the lure is hooked into the bird's foot. (MyFWC image)
Officer Laird Canfield holds the pelican while Officer James Suttles examines how the lure is hooked into the bird’s foot. (MyFWC image)

When officers saw the pelican it looked like it had an injured leg. After catching the pelican, they discovered that the lure was lodged in the pelican’s webbed foot and in his wing.

The pelican didn’t struggle. He kept still as the officers worked on the lure.

Two fishermen offered the officers the use of wire cutters, enabling the officers to remove the barbs from the hooks. Then the pelican was free at last.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS

Two fishermen offered the officers the use of wire cutters, enabling the officers to remove the barbs from the hooks. Then the pelican was free at last. (MyFWC image)
Two fishermen offered the officers the use of wire cutters, enabling the officers to remove the barbs from the hooks. Then the pelican was free at last. (MyFWC image)