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Man Saves Pelican Choking on Fish at the Last Second

man saves pelican
Image by We Love Animals via YouTube

Pelicans have an iconic way of feeding and almost always swallow their food whole. Sounds pretty time-efficient, right? But also dangerous: watch how this man saves a pelican choking on his lunch.

Discovering the Bird in Need

Screenshot from: “Man Saves Pelican Choking on Fish”, Source: YouTube, Uploaded: WeLoveAnimals

A family is enjoying a lovely day on their boat when they spot a pelican that isn’t having a lovely day at all. They see how the pelican suspiciously floats in the water, barely moving at all. It’s when they see the massive fish stuck in its mouth that it all makes sense.

Dad Steps In

Screenshot from: “Man Saves Pelican Choking on Fish”, Source: YouTube, Uploaded: WeLoveAnimals

The dad gets a hold of the bird in need – initially, the pelican is hesitant, but at this point, it has very little energy left to fight back.

It’s Stuck

Screenshot from: “Man Saves Pelican Choking on Fish”, Source: YouTube, Uploaded: WeLoveAnimals

Despite pulling and pulling at the fish stuck in its beak it won’t budge – we’re all holding our breath because we know that for every second that passes the pelican is quickly running out of breaths.

A Strange Realization

Screenshot from: “Man Saves Pelican Choking on Fish”, Source: YouTube, Uploaded: WeLoveAnimals

This is when the dad makes a strange discovery – the fish stuck in the pelican’s throat as a fish hook attached to it! He manages to pull the hook out, saving both the pelican and the fish in one go.

YouTube video
“Man Saves Pelican Choking on Fish”, Source: YouTube, Uploaded: WeLoveAnimals

Pelicans

pelican
Brown pelican adrift on a summer’s day. Image by Philip Brown via Unsplash

Image by Philip Brown via Unsplash

Pelicans are large, distinctive water birds known for their long beaks and massive throat pouches. These birds are found on every continent except Antarctica, thriving in warm regions near coasts, lakes, and rivers. With their impressive wingspans, pelicans are skilled fliers and often glide effortlessly over water in search of food.

A Pelican’s Iconic Way of Feeding

pelican
Image by Zdenek Machacek via Unsplash

Pelicans are famous for their distinct feeding technique. Using their expansive throat pouches (which can hold up to three gallons of water!) they scoop up fish along with large amounts of water. After catching their prey, they drain the water by tipping their bills down before swallowing the fish whole.

Pelicans in Culture and Ecosystems

pelican
Image by David Clode via Unsplash

Pelicans have made notable appearances in various cultural references and folklore, symbolizing abundance and resourcefulness. Ecologically, they play a crucial role in their habitats by controlling fish populations and contributing to the health of aquatic ecosystems. Their presence is an indicator of a healthy environment, making them important to both nature and human culture.

Dangers of Fishing Hooks

pelican
Image by Calin Stan via Unsplash

Leaving fishing hooks in fish poses a severe threat to pelicans. When these birds consume fish with embedded hooks, the sharp metal can cause internal injuries, infections, and even death. Additionally, entangled fishing lines can restrict their movement, leading to starvation or drowning. Proper disposal of fishing gear is crucial to protecting these majestic birds and their ecosystems.

Wrapping Up

New Pelican Chicks Take Flight in Basel After 20 Years
Image by Birger Strahl via Unsplash

Scooping up more than we can swallow can happen to the best of us! Lucky for both the fish and the pelican, this heroic dad could step in and save them both.

Conclusion

pelican
Image by James Wainscoat via Unsplash

Thank you for reading this article! You can watch the video clip here.