ORLANDO, Fla. – The Florida Wildlife Hospital (FWH) has embarked on a mission to safeguard one of the state’s most iconic birds-the Brown Pelican.
Partnering with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, FWH is determined to address the challenges these birds face, particularly at Sebastian Inlet State Park (SISP), where many pelicans suffer from fishing line entanglements and injuries from fish remains.
Sebastian Inlet State Park, a picturesque location at the southern Brevard County line, is a haven for bird watchers, nature enthusiasts and fishermen.
However, it is also a hotspot for pelican injuries due to discarded fishing lines and fish cleaning stations.
The park’s unique environment, spanning two counties, offers a concentrated population of pelicans, making it an ideal location for this vital study.
The Florida Wildlife Hospital Executive Director, Tracy Frampton, says an overwhelming number of her patients come from this area.
“They are generally entangled in fishing line or at least have hooks on them,” Frampton explained. “They may be sneaking food at the fish cleaning areas, and if they eat a partially fileted fish, the bones will puncture their their pouch and they won’t be able to feed because they can’t hold the water.”
The hospital has joined forces with a biologist holding a federal bird banding permit. The initiative involves banding pelicans with both a metal federal band and a more visible black plastic band with white lettering. This dual-banding approach allows for easy identification and tracking of the birds, providing crucial data on their movements and behaviors after being released.
Frampton’s motivation is clear: to understand and mitigate the factors leading to repeated pelican injuries. “It’s really exciting that we’re getting started with this banding program,” she shares. “We hope to learn if they are repeat customers and if releasing them in a different area can prevent additional injuries.”
The study aims to monitor the pelicans post-release, with volunteers like Megan Stolen using binoculars to track the banded birds.
Stolen leans over the rail of the inlet, waves break on the rocks below. She bring her brand new Nikon binoculars up to her eyes.
“That bird is kind of leafing down, I can’t see his legs,” she says, panning her binoculars across a row of birds.
Stolen visits the inlet regularly to check on the pelicans and now spot and document the ones who are banded.
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed but there’s a bird out there that’s entangled,” Stolen said, pointing to a row of pelicans sitting on the fenders of a bridge.
“There’s fishing line hanging down and there’s a hook in its chest. That bird need to be caught and that hook need to be removed.”
Rangers will try to catch the bird and send it off to FWH.
This citizen science project seeks to answer critical questions: Do the pelicans return to SISP after being released elsewhere? Are they more susceptible to injuries due to habituation to human activity? The data collected will inform future conservation strategies and potentially reduce the number of injured pelicans.
The success of this initiative hinges on community involvement. Volunteers are essential for monitoring the pelicans, recording sightings, and contributing to the study’s data pool.
As Frampton emphasizes, “We need 20 to 30 volunteers to help monitor these birds. It’s a chance to make a real difference.”
The Florida Wildlife Hospital’s collaboration with local biologists and volunteers represents a significant step forward in pelican conservation. This project not only aims to protect these majestic birds but also enriches our understanding of their behaviors and interactions with human environments.
As Tracy reflects, “Are we helping? This study will give us the feedback we need to ensure we’re making a positive impact.”
Florida Wildlife Hospital is looking for more volunteers. A virtual training will be required and supplies like binoculars and data sheets will be provided.
For those interested in becoming a pelican monitor volunteer, email research@floridawildlifehospital.org
If you spot a pelican with a black leg band, visit Florida Wildlife Hospital
to report your sighting.