IT TOOK A FISHING VILLAGE, II

On a bright, sunny, but cool afternoon in January, I was walking along Dock Street in Cedar Key when I came upon an agitated and excited crowd of visitors looking over the railing. Two brown pelicans were tied together with fishing line swimming under Duncan’s restaurant. Luckily, some had noticed the “Don’t Cut the Line” signage around the dock and had called the Cedar Keys Audubon rescue number.   A trained and experienced rescuer, Ron Kamzelski was nearby and came to assess the situation. It was obvious we needed someone in the water. That is when Mya and Brent appeared in their inflatable kayak. The crowd hailed them over and they took on the job of corralling the birds.

Two FWC Wildlife Law Enforcement officers happened to be making their rounds. Officer Corrie Bell and his partner Tanner Robson joined in the rescue attempt. One was able to grab the fishing line from the kayakers and tied it to a bolt on a piling. About that time, rescuer extraordinaire, Doug Maple showed up. Now all that was needed was a net. Or, so we thought. The line broke but the birds were still entangled by the leader and

started to go under the bridge to the marina where it would be difficult to reach them. Mya and Brent were able to head them off and got them to the beach behind Island Place condos. One of the FWC Officers and Doug grabbed them and using pliers were quickly able to release one pelican who flew away to freedom. The other took a bit more effort but was eventually freed and swam away.

Of all times to not have a camera or even my phone to record what was happening!   Sharon Kay offered me her phone so I was able to get a few photos of the event.

This is another example of how this little fishing village comes together, and it shows that our visitors do pay attention to the signs placed around town for the benefit of our wildlife. Great job.

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