Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Injured Pelican Knocks on Florida NOAA Facility Door for Help
An injured pelican went to a marine research building in Florida.
It pecked on the glass as if it wanted someone to notice it.
Scientists discovered fishing line and a hook stuck in its wing.
They also found cactus spines in one of its feet.
The researchers carefully removed all of the objects.
The treatment took about five minutes.
Then they brought the pelican back to a basin.
The bird flew away safely.
Scientists still do not know whether it understood that people could help or simply followed the smell or sight of fish.
A brown pelican arrived at a NOAA facility in Panama City, Florida, on September 8 and pecked on the back-door glass.
Researchers found fishing line wrapped around its right wing, a treble hook embedded in the wing, and cactus spines in its left foot.
Scientists removed the nearly six-foot fishing line, hook, and spines in about five minutes.
The pelican was returned to a basin, where it flew away after treatment.
Researchers are unsure whether the bird deliberately sought human help or was attracted by fish being carried into the facility.
- Who
- A brown pelican and researchers at a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration facility, including Annsli Hilton.
- What
- An injured pelican appeared at the facility and received treatment for fishing line, a hook, and cactus spines.
- When
- September 8; the year was not specified.
- Where
- A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration facility in Panama City, Florida, near St. Andrew Bay.
- Why
- The pelican may have approached because it needed help, or because it had seen researchers carrying fish into the facility.
Seeking Human Help
Seeking Food
Why the pelican approached the facility
Seeking Human Help
The researchers were surprised that the injured bird appeared to come to the door on its own, raising the possibility that it sought help from humans.
Seeking Food
Gerald Hough suggested the pelican may have seen biologists carrying fish into and out of the facility and approached because it was seeking food.
- Animal
- Brown pelican
- Injuries
- Fishing line and a double-barbed treble hook affected the right wing; nearly a dozen cactus spines were in the left foot.
- Fishing line
- Nearly six feet long
- Treatment time
- About five minutes
- Rescue location
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration facility in Panama City, Florida
- Outcome
- The pelican was returned to a basin and flew away
- Estimated journey
- Researchers said it likely walked about half a kilometre to reach the building