Veterinarians Examine Pelicans
Five American white pelicans, rescued from the Gulf of Mexico following the BP oil spill, have found a new home at Brookfield Zoo. This past weekend, Animal Programs staff from the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages the zoo, drove to pick up the birds from their temporary home at Jackson Zoo in Mississippi.
Following the 12-hour drive back to Brookfield, veterinarians gave physical exams to the zoo’s newest additions.
The birds will remain in the zoo’s Animal Hospital for a 30-day quarantine period, after which they will be placed on permanent exhibit at the Formal Pool located just north of Perching Bird House.
The pelicans rescued from the Mississippi Canyon area off the coast of Louisiana had sustained wing injuries prior to the oil spill that prevented them from migrating this past spring. The birds suffered slight to moderate oil damage and were treated for their injuries by volunteers working with the International Bird Rescue Research Center and Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research. Once they were treated, cleaned, and stabilized, the pelicans were transported to Jackson Zoo until permanent homes could be found for them.
“We are sorry for the circumstance that is making it possible for us to have these animals as part of the zoo’s animal collection, but we feel extremely fortunate to be able to collaborate with these organizations and provide the birds a good permanent home where they will receive the best possible care,” said Tim Snyder, curator of birds for the Chicago Zoological Society. “We hope these pelicans will serve as ambassadors for their wild counterparts to help educate our guests about the effects the oil spill has had on the wildlife in the Gulf,” added Snyder.
White Pelicans at Brookfield Zoo
Brookfield Zoo is one of four zoos receiving rehabilitated white pelicans from Jackson Zoo. The American white pelican is one of the largest bird species found in North America weighing up to 20 pounds and measuring 4 to 6 feet in length with a wingspan of approximately 9 feet. Their plumage is white with the exception of black-edged wings that are visible in flight. The long orange bill is between 10 to 14.5 inches long and the orange legs are short with big webbed feet. Although not endangered, the pelican population is increasingly threatened due to habitat loss caused by flooding and droughts as well as contamination. In addition they face human-related threats, such as discarded fishing line and plastics, boating disturbances, or disturbance of nest sites
