Boat Strike

Oliver holding the pelican injured from a boat strike.

A boat Strike is the only answer I'm afraid as its impossible for a bird to do this damage to himself. That is actually his bones protruding from the break.

The boatie has had to know he hit the bird so why not stop and help him or at least ring someone at the time as the wind would have been calm at the time. But no, this poor bird drifted around in pain in a howling wind by the time Australian Seabird Rescue received the call. Despite the best efforts of Marine Rescue we were unable to get him straight away as the wind kept blowing the boat just out of our reach.

So back to the harbour at dusk and with the wind easing - thanks to the keen eye of Australian Seabird Rescue team member Oliver, he was spotted way off on the other shore. Thankfully without any further fuss we picked him up and he was euthanized by Greencross Veterinary thus stopping any further pain.

So totally avoidable - I mean really - you've got to know you are approaching a big bird haven't you?

Betty

Orient Point

Kate holding a pelican with a badly broken wing.

A call from the public saw Australian Seabird Rescue team members Kate, Bonnie and I heading south. This female pelican had sustained a terrible break to her wing. Unfortunately it appears to be from a boat strike. A careless act as, it's so easy to avoid pelicans or at least to stop and help them.

So this poor bird was out there in pain and obviously very hungry as she came straight over to us. Unable to get her on the boat ramp, Kate got the kayak in the water and after a lot of hard paddling was able to pick her up - obtaining a black eye from her in the process. Thanks also to Bonnie on the end of the wharf ready to jump if needed.

So unfortunately off to the vet but at least she wouldn't die from infection or starvation.

There is a large fine regarding this sort of action from boaties and with summer coming a timely reminder to all on the waterways to please be careful.

Thanks again Kate and Bonnie

Betty