Injured pelican rescued, treated at Coimbatore Corporation Zoo

An inspection revealed that the grey pelican had suffered two-inch wounds on both the wings, possibly caused by projectiles from a catapult, and that it could not fly.

The injured pelican that underwent treatment at the Coimbatore Corporation Zoo.

Coimbatore Corporation Zoo authorities have operated upon an injured pelican at the Zoo on Friday.

According to sources, a team led by Zoo veterinarian K. Asokan rescued the five-year-old male pelican from a farm near Kembatty Colony, after the Big Bazaar Police called up seeking help.

An inspection revealed that the grey pelican had suffered two-inch wounds on both the wings, possibly caused by projectiles from a catapult, and that it could not fly. The team then operated upon the bird, administered pain killers, antibiotics and other medicines and had kept it at the Zoo in a separate enclosure for continuous monitoring.

Monitor

Though at present it was having fish, the team needed to monitor it for the next 48 hours to see how it had responded to the treatment.

And, after a week, based on the progress made, the team would release the bird. Pelicans travelled from continent to continent looking for the ideal habitat. They could fly non-stop for over 1,000 km. In Coimbatore, they could be spotted in the Ukkadam Big Tank, Singanallur Tank and at a few other areas.