DUNEDIN, Fla. (WFLA) — A Pinellas County deputy rescued a pelican with an injured wing Thursday, and although it was his first time holding a pelican, he proved that when it comes to handling the large birds, he is no bird-brain.
Deputy Bassous responded to a call from Birds in Helping Hands after the organization received reports that citizens were picking up the wounded Pelican and feeding it chips, which is not recommended when encountering injured wildlife.
In a social media post, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office recounted how Deputy Bassous was unsure how to handle the bird but worked closely with Helping Hands experts who guided him through proper techniques on capturing the animal.
Following the organization’s step-by-step instructions, he used a towel to calm the pelican, which allowed him to capture it safely. He then put his new feathered friend into his patrol cruiser to take him to a local rehabilitator, the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary…