As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Friday 10 May 2019

Dalmatian pelicans that took a wrong turn to freezing Siberia in winter released back to wild



By The Siberian Times reporter
25 April 2019
There were nine young pelicans in the squadron that landed in the mountainous Altai region in November. 
They were noticed by the locals helplessly skidding and tumbling on ice of a lake near the town of Aleysk. 
The world's largest freshwater birds took went off course pushed by strong Western winds, and  became weakened by icy air and cold ground temperatures. 
The pelicans were rescued thanks to efforts of expert Alexey Ebel, a biologist by training and a keen birdwatcher.
They spent winter in the local veterinary clinic, with hundreds of people donating to feed the rare birds. 
 ‘The pelicans ate nearly three tons of fish,’ said Atryom Kucher, director of ‘Dobriy Vrach’ veterinary clinic.
‘We organised the care in a way that the birds could remain as wild as possible, so they didn’t go begging for food from anglers. 
‘This is why we kept only one person looking after them, so that they see humans as danger. 
‘We think they should do well.’
Nine pelicans were ringed and released at Pelikaniy nature reserve in the Altai region. 
One more Dalmatian pelican landed in the same area later last winter. 
By then the air temperature then was -20C, so the bird got its wing and paw badly frostbitten and will have to stay in the clinic longer.



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