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
wolvefan_116217 dayshow can a bird be that smart?
anime_god17 daysthe pelican was cute
fan_of_rengoku17 daysI hope the pelican is ok but, complements to the bird pretty smart of him.
sotavebosuko17 daysI'm glad its ok at least
hocabamowica17 dayspelican = smart
cozyfox17 daysthat pelican is very smart- mypafopuzuwu17 daysits crazy how smart animals are
felozibowazi17 daysThis is really cool.
13bronxbomber1317 dayssmart pelican, like really smart
supercaladouce17 daysWow this is so funny how are animals this smart I'm cracking up.
