Two pelicans escape from Pittsburgh Zoo habitat

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 18:02 · Archive

Two pelicans have escaped from their habitat at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. Zoo staff are working on their safe return and have set up a pelican hotline for residents to report sightings, with the number 412-365-2528. The zoo has asked callers not to attempt to approach the water birds.

The zoo added three brown pelicans to its Kids Kingdom in July from Seacoast Seabird Sanctuary in Florida. The birds have permanent wing injuries that left them unable to hunt. The escaped pelicans' identities remain unknown among the three residents at the zoo.

Brown pelicans are not native to Western Pennsylvania and are recognisable by their distinctive gular pouch, a thick layer of skin on the lower mandible connected to the throat, which they use to scoop fish from the water. One person reported spotting a pelican beneath the Highland Park Bridge, but first responders found no such bird.

How it is being reported

• Pelicans have escaped from the Pittsburgh ZooPittsburgh Post-Gazette · 17 Oct, 17:25
• Pelicans escape habitat at Pittsburgh Zoo; birds whereabouts unknownA pair of pelicans have flown the coop at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium.TribLIVE · 17 Oct, 17:14

In this story: Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium · Pittsburgh · Seacoast Seabird Sanctuary · Highland Park Bridge · Western Pennsylvania

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem