PELICAN IN PADDLE TO FREEDOM
A PHOTO of a kayaker ferrying a pelican along a Gold Coast waterway has a sad, disturbing truth behind it.
Rowley Goonan, founder of Wild Bird Rescues Gold Coast, had just picked up the female pelican from the middle of a Burleigh waterway after residents spotted her entangled in heavy duty fishing line.
It meant the large bird could not fly.
Mr Goonan’s latest rescue has highlighted a problem plaguing Gold Coast waterways – discarded fishing line.
He previously told the Bulletin that birds were often caught in fishing line, leading to leg injuries, amputations or even death.
The veteran rescuer said that to save the distressed pelican, he had to borrow the kayak from a man who had been paddling close by.
The kayaker had been keeping an eye on the bird, but was concerned about her sharp beak, he said.
“The pelican couldn’t get airborne, which was lucky for me. The fishing line was caught under her wing,” Mr Goonan said. “I managed to get on the kayak, quietly moved in and grabbed the fishing float. Then I pulled her gently towards me.”
Mr Goonan managed to place the pelican in front of him and paddled about 500m to shore, where he then untangled the fishing line.
A hook was caught in the pelican’s feathers. Once the hook and line were removed and a thorough check was made, she was released.
“She was a lovely little bird,” Mr Goonan said.
“She was looking at the front and around on the kayak. She could have turned around and nipped me – they can do that very quickly. They have to be fast to fish.
“But it’s the same message as always. Never put out fishing line and leave it