You'll Never Guess What Was Found at a Local Riding Club

When Gisela Willett first saw the adult pelican hanging out at the Empty Saddle Club in Rolling Hills Estates late Tuesday morning, she thought it was a saddle that someone had left out.

"I came up with my horse to turn her out," she told Patch. "I see this lump inside the arena … (then) I realized this was a pelican."

Indeed, the pelican—a water bird known for its long beak and large throat pouch—was standing in the middle of a small arena with high sides at a horseback riding club that is miles from the ocean.

Chris Margrave, who also saw the pelican, called Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control, and Officer Luis Cruz arrived and caught the seabird with a large net.

Cruz said he planned to bring the pelican to the International Bird Rescue Research Center in San Pedro, where it would be checked out.

As fish are their primary diet, pelicans are generally found on the coast. It's rare to see a pelican so far inland, Cruz said.