American White Pelican Almost Too Weak To Blink

American white pelican floating listlessly in harbor by docksThe following story about an American white pelican was submitted by Save Our Seabirds, Inc. in Florida.

On November 3rd, this beautiful American white pelican presented to Save Our Seabirds after she was found floating in the bay of Longboat Key. The caller said she’d been there for two days, and her condition seemed to be deteriorating.

Our rescuers were able to grab her from the water without much of a fight.

Upon admission to the hospital, she was so lethargic and weak that she could barely blink. Her prognosis didn’t seem good.

She was given intensive medical care and plenty of rest, and slowly she started to show signs of improvement. She started sluggishly lifting her head, then moving her wings, then propping herself up.

American white pelican spreading wings as it stands inside on tile floor and looks out a sliding glass door an American white pelican stands inside on tile floor looking out a sliding glass doorTo keep her strength up, she was given EmerAid IC Piscivore syringe feedings three times a day, along with medications and fluids.

Then one day, she stood up by herself, and we knew she was going to make it!

Now she is walking, flapping, preening, and eating fish like a champ. Soon she will go into our outdoor enclosures in order to build up flight strength for release.