Injured Pelican Knocks On NOAA Lab Door For Help
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It was a typical Tuesday at NOAA’s Panama City Laboratory in Florida. Biologists were analyzing shark data and studying fish populations when they heard a strange tapping sound. Looking outside, they were surprised to find a wild brown pelican repeatedly pecking at the glass door with its beak.
The bird seemed to be looking for help. One of the researchers opened the door and saw what was wrong. The pelican was entangled in a heavy-duty fishing line, with a barbed hook deeply embedded in its right wing. To make matters worse, cactus spines were stuck in its left foot.
"I always kind of thought in my head — and liked to think that — animals would know to either come to me for help or to come to the lab for help. But I never thought it would happen," NOAA researcher Annsli Hilton told The Washington Post.
While the NOAA staff was used to working with marine animals, they had never treated a bird before. But they were up for the challenge. Holding the pelican still, they carefully cut the barbed hook and removed it. The team then pulled out several feet of fishing line wrapped around the wing. The bird remained surprisingly calm during the 10-minute procedure. Once the fishing gear was removed, the researchers inspected the pelican to make sure it was okay. They then let it go and watched it gracefully fly away.
NOAA shared details of the unusual rescue on September 15, 2026. The researchers suspect the injured pelican walked roughly a quarter-mile from St. Andrew Bay. But they do not know why it chose the NOAA lab for help.
The pelican’s rescue is a reminder of the dangers fishing gear can pose to animals. NOAA urges anglers to recycle used lines. The agency also recommends using barbless hooks, which are much easier to remove if an animal is accidentally caught.
Resources: fisheries.noaa.gov, Washingtonpost.com
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74 Comments
cake1313 daysYall its not sad it got saved and if it was in very very very bad pain it would not stay that calm but it was still in some pain.
ayra3 daysI want to have the pelican T^T!- zycujamyvuwe4 daysTo cute! I would save it if I knew how to
cigucojuhogy4 daysIt is so cute and so sad at the same time I hope it's okay now I want to pet it
9800740904 daysITS SOOOO CUTEE1
pandelia4 daysAWWW!!!!!! I'm glad that the pelican received help. That is one smart bird to go knocking on a door!!!!! I wonder where it learned that?
80horselover4 daysnice
jurihypycyly4 dayssad but cute
lavender024 daysthat is sad- myfigabifyfe4 dayssoo sad
