SeaWorld San Diego Releases Pelican To Wild After Being Rescued In Arizona Desert

SAN DIEGO, CA — A wayward brown pelican rescued from the scorching desert has a second chance at life, thanks to the support of SeaWorld San Diego.

Earlier this year, Liberty Wildlife in Pheonix, Arizona, received a call about a distressed brown pelican found far from its coastal habitat and trapped in the desert heat, according to SeaWorld. After the bird was rescued, the SeaWorld San Diego Rescue Team was contacted and traveled to Yuma, Arizona, to bring the pelican back to the park's rescue facility.

The pelican was rescued on July 6 and transferred to SeaWorld on Aug. 6, park officials told Patch.

SeaWorld's team found severe foot wounds that were treated over months with regular Epsom salt foot baths and close monitoring.

"Since this pelican came in with severe feet wounds, caring for this bird was a unique experience," said Annie Caporaso, a member of SeaWorld San Diego's Rescue Team. "Our team had to get creative with their special needs, specifically, having no access to water while its feet were medically wrapped.

"Thankfully, this pelican had a good appetite and was very brave and strong through all aspects of care," she added.

After four months of care, the pelican was fully healed and recently returned to its natural habitat at La Jolla Cove.

"Returning this animal to the ocean after such a long journey was an amazing feat and truly highlights the care and compassion of our rescue team and veterinarians," Caporaso told Patch.