SANIBEL, Fla. — A brown pelican is recovering at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc. (CROW) after officials found the bird with a three inch hole in the left side of its pouch.
Crow veterinarians suspect the hole was the result of fishing gear getting hooked onto the pelican’s mouth.
CROW
The pelican was found at the Bookeelia Fishing Pier on April 14 severely dehydrated and emaciated as well. It received supportive care until CROW veterinarians performed surgery on the pelican to close its wound.
Veterinarians were able to remove dead tissues from the wound and stitch the hole closed. The pelican recovered from surgery and is doing well, according to CROW.
For more information on the negative impacts of fishing gear on wildlife and the environment, you can visit the Mind Your Line website.
