COVID LOCKDOWN ENDS WITH PELICAN TRAINING FOR WILDLIFE VOLUNTEERS

Pelicans in particular are iconic and much-loved species of our rivers and estuaries and they are regularly entangled or ingest marine debris and discarded fishing tackle.  They present real difficulties if they are still able to swim and fly, making rescue and treatment extremely challenging to wildlife volunteers.  Swallowing or entrapment by fishing lines and hooks will usually result in a slow and painful death if not rescued and treated.

The rooky rescue team was welcomed at Big4 Great Lakes Park at Tuncurry.  Thanks to the good folk at Tuncurry’s Monin Seafood Wholesalers the trainee rescuers were able to tempt the pelicans closer with donated fish frames.  

During the training, a report was received by the FAWNA rescue hotline 6581 4141 that a bunch of people were interfering with and filming the beloved Tuncurry pelicans – FAWNA was pleased the community wildlife watch system is working.  FAWNA had signs up advising training was in place but perhaps they weren’t visible from a distance.

Kym Kilpatrick, a local FAWNA volunteer, in giving thanks to their trainer said 

“Cathy is extremely knowledgeable and inspirational and we came away feeling much more confident in our ability to affect rescue when needed of these amazingly intelligent birds”