A pelican has gone missing from Blackpool Zoo after it flew away from its enclosure due to a fright caused by a group of seagulls.
Zoo personnel reported that the fledgling pelican landed on the roof of the flamingo house after being alarmed by the seagulls and then was carried away by a gust of wind.
The staff lost sight of the bird around 4 pm on Friday, and they suspect it's heading towards the South Shore area of Blackpool. However, they've advised against approaching the bird to avoid causing further distress.
The pelican, only 14 weeks old, had recently developed its adult feathers, so its wings had not been clipped yet.
The incident was reported to Lancashire Police on Friday afternoon.
A spokesperson for Blackpool Zoo explained that their keepers followed the pelican out of the zoo but lost sight of it. Subsequent sightings indicate that the bird has been in the area, prompting ongoing search efforts from dawn to dusk.
The zoo assures the public that pelicans are gentle creatures and pose no threat. They urge people not to approach the bird if spotted, as it might become frightened.
This incident was attributed to the persistent seagull issues faced by the zoo and the town.
Blackpool Zoo is the exclusive UK location where pelicans have been successfully bred. The missing pelican is described as approximately 4 feet tall with brown feathers.
The zoo has requested that anyone who spots the bird contact them at 07799226908.
Photo by Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada, Wikimedia commons.