With families, including children, looking on two pelicans injured by frostbite and rescued were released on Saturday on the dock at Sharky’s Waterfront Restaurant on Ocean Isle Beach.
According to Janie Withers of Paws-Ability, a nonprofit group that provides financial support for assorted animal causes in Brunswick County, this winter has been very harsh for dogs and cats living outside as well as the shore birds with many actually having had frostbite on their feet this year.
The two pelicans were treated and recuperated at the Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter on nearby Oak Island, NC.
Sea Biscuit manager Mary Allen Rogers let Paws-Ability be part of the pelicans’ release.
In 2010, Paws-Ability raised and donated funds to help build a roof over a portion of the wildlife shelter for the protection of the birds in its care. Withers described it as an emergency situation that Paws-Ability was able to help with after Sea Biscuit had run out of funds.
Withers said the occasion offered a good science lesson as well as an opportunity to “gently pet” the birds before they are let go.
Those in attendance also had a chance to learn about the Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter and what it does for injured birds in our area.
Rogers stated that rescuers like to release birds in the same area where they were found, because they’re social and so they can “flock together.”
If you are interested in donating to Paws-Ability, or just want to learn more click here: https://www.paws-ability.org
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