Oh Dave!

Betty with helpful holiday-maker Dave who ripped a calf muscle while trying to help capture a pelican!

Australian Seabird Rescue team member Carmel spotted an injured pelican while visiting Lake Conjola but unfortunately didn't have a cage with her - she did catch another bird with a hook though - attended to it and released the bird - well done Carmel.

A quick ring around to see if anyone wanted to go saw Ollie and I heading off early next morning. A female pelican she appeared to have a broken leg or pelvis. As she couldn't stand easily we were unable to get her straight away so we went and had some breakfast. On our return she'd got herself over the other side sitting down and not wanting to move. Enter Dave - "l'll help" he said "but it's too shallow for my boat so I'll wade in and swim over and herd her back to you". A good suggestion - good on you Dave!

So here's our hero holiday-maker running though the shallows after a swim when he went down in a heap - obviously in trouble and Little Miss Pelican laughing at him. Dave was rescued by another holiday maker on a kayak. Score; pelican 1: Us Nil. 

The rest of the day was spent in Milton hospital emergency department. Oh Dave! He's ripped his calf muscle and will be on crutches for 3 weeks - so much for his holiday! Thankfully he has a sense of humour and sent photos of his "wheelchair holiday" back to his workmates. Nine hours after we left home we returned weary only to have to go back the next day to get the bird. Which of course we did and took her off to the vet for assessment. Unfortunately our worst fears were realised - her knee was badly broken.

A great big thank you to Dave for trying to help and team ember Ollie for his patience.

Betty 

Hooked pelican at Lake Conjola

Recently a distressed pelican was finally caught at Lake Conjola. This bird had a large lure with hooks on both ends stuck on his neck and back. The fishing line went over his head and around his wings. This was preventing him from eating but unfortunately not from flying. ASR was originally called on Good Friday but with so many people around, after driving the 2 hours to get there, the bird was nowhere in sight. Many people had seen the pelican and were very upset. Rhonda and Bill went back a few days later, but were not able to catch it. The following weekend Rhonda said "We're going down again and I'm not coming back without helping this bird!" So they booked into a cabin at the local caravan park.  No luck that evening but the next day, finally success! The pelican was in a bad way but they were able to untangle it and treat the hook wounds. It was such a relief even though it was exhausting. It takes a lot of time to make these long trips and of course costs a lot in petrol. At this stage we don't have any ASR members in the Lake Conjola area but would welcome new members anywhere along our coastline.