Injured Pelican Knocks On NOAA Lab Door For Help
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It was a typical Tuesday at NOAA’s Panama City Laboratory in Florida. Biologists were analyzing shark data and studying fish populations when they heard a strange tapping sound. Looking outside, they were surprised to find a wild brown pelican repeatedly pecking at the glass door with its beak.
The bird seemed to be looking for help. One of the researchers opened the door and saw what was wrong. The pelican was entangled in a heavy-duty fishing line, with a barbed hook deeply embedded in its right wing. To make matters worse, cactus spines were stuck in its left foot.
"I always kind of thought in my head — and liked to think that — animals would know to either come to me for help or to come to the lab for help. But I never thought it would happen," NOAA researcher Annsli Hilton told The Washington Post.
While the NOAA staff was used to working with marine animals, they had never treated a bird before. But they were up for the challenge. Holding the pelican still, they carefully cut the barbed hook and removed it. The team then pulled out several feet of fishing line wrapped around the wing. The bird remained surprisingly calm during the 10-minute procedure. Once the fishing gear was removed, the researchers inspected the pelican to make sure it was okay. They then let it go and watched it gracefully fly away.
NOAA shared details of the unusual rescue on September 15, 2026. The researchers suspect the injured pelican walked roughly a quarter-mile from St. Andrew Bay. But they do not know why it chose the NOAA lab for help.
The pelican’s rescue is a reminder of the dangers fishing gear can pose to animals. NOAA urges anglers to recycle used lines. The agency also recommends using barbless hooks, which are much easier to remove if an animal is accidentally caught.
Resources: fisheries.noaa.gov, Washingtonpost.com
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74 Comments
- givalofunubo3 daysMore survivor instincts than horror movie character sooo cute and smart
- gazypuvulala3 daysthis is coolz
mimicatmo4 daysThat pelican is so smart
kittkatheart5 daysI FEEL SO BAD FOR THE POOR LIL GUY HES SO CUTEEEEEE
ministranger5 daysThat poor lil dude
horrorgamer5 daysAWW !!!🥰 Poor lil' guy ! SO CUTE THO- jugolikukofe9 dayssad
krequpp410 daysAww pour Little guy, I hope he is still okay NO MORE LITTER IN THE OCEAN
jesus_is_king10 daysIts so cute 😍
egf1410 daysthis is so heart breaking but these people seem to know what they are doing so so so very sweet I LOVE PELICANS
cokulujobynu10 daysThe pelican is so smart!