Dawn Alexander Paddled Her Way to Success!
2024 dECEMBER 2
Brian Moore was driving across the Number 3 Bridge when something in the water caught his eye. He noticed that a group of White Pelicans was paddling away from the pilings; but one pelican was struggling to keep up and was left behind.
On a closer look Brian realized that the pelican had line wrapped around his leg and his wings, and was snagged on the piling.
Brian’s quick call to W.R.E.N. put the Bird Rescue Team into action! Both Doug Maple and Amy Horn quickly made it to the bridge to access the situation. They realized that the huge White Pelican could not be reached by a rescuer wading into the water. A boat or kayak was needed.
Enter our seasoned and daring rescuer, Dawn Alexander!
With wire cutters in her pocket, she eased her kayak into the water near the Number 3 Bridge.
Realizing she would need both hands to try to untangle this huge pelican, and she could therefore not paddle the kayak at the same time, she aimed her kayak up current so that she could drift toward the bird without paddling.
Upon reaching the pelican, Dawn cut the line and unwrapped his wings, checking for damage.
The Pelican was able to stretch and flap his wings but was still attached to the piling by line around his leg.
Carefully cutting and unwrapping the line around his leg, and checking for any lesions caused by the line, Dawn decided he was safe to release.
After a few test wing flaps, the released pelican paddled quickly then soared toward his buddies, no doubt giving them a word or two about leaving him behind!
White pelicans are huge, so how Dawn did this rescue on her own while sitting in a kayak is mind-boggling to other rescuers!
Please support W.R.E.N., the Cedar Key Bird Rescue Team:
1 - Email us to get information of ways you might help: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (subject line W.R.E.N)
2 - Stop by Seacoast Bank to make a deposit to the W.R.E.N. account.
3 – Mail us at Cedar Key P.O. Box #321, C.K. 32625
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