MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Two Manatee County deputies rescued a pelican in distress Sunday morning.
The sheriff's office said deputies were alerted to a pelican in distress on Anna Maria Island near the city pier.
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Deputies found the pelican stranded in the surf with a fish hook stuck in its mouth and fishing line wrapped around its bill and wing. It was preventing the pelican from opening its mouth or flying.
The pelican was falling over in the surf as the tide was coming in. Deputies jumped into action and entered the chilly surf to rescue the pelican.
Deputy Parkinson was able to rescue the pelican and the team removed the fishing line freeing its bill and wing.
Wildlife and Rescue will attempt to remove the fish hook from its mouth and rehabilitate the pelican.
