Lucky Strike

A call came in for help at 7.30 Sunday night of the long weekend from a young woman Melissa. She had just put her horse to "bed" in the paddock and noticed a pelican on the ground in the distance.

So on the phone to Australian Seabird Rescue team member Ollie who came straight over even though he had visitors - thanks mate! Thankfully Melissa met us and under torchlight we headed across the paddock with half a dozen horses wondering what we were doing. Melissa told us the horses had already checked out the pelican but backed off quick smart when she snapped at them. There are power lines across the paddocks so it appeared the pelican had clipped these. We picked her up and put her immediately in to care.

Certainly a lucky strike - but next morning couldn't stand so off to the vet for assessment and yes she has got away with hitting the power line with a bruise on her bill and a small wound on her wing. After a few days of care and rehab she has been released to continue her life. A big thank you to Melissa as the pelican would have perished that night either from the cold/shock or fox attack.

Betty

This pelican survived despite striking a power line.