Pelican Escapes Zoo After Being Terrorized by Aggressive Seagulls

Call in the Flying Squad! Hunt for rare pelican which escaped Blackpool Zoo after being terrorised by aggressive seagulls

• The fledgling was spooked by a flock of gulls and escaped its enclosure
• At just 14-weeks old, it hasn't had its wings clipped yet

A pelican is missing from a zoo after flying away from its enclosure when it was scared by a flock of seagulls.

Staff at Blackpool Zoo say the fledgling bird flew onto the roof of the flamingo house after being spooked by the gulls, before being 'taken on a gust of wind.'

Zookeepers then lost sight of the bird at around 4pm on Friday and believe it's heading towards the South Shore area of Blackpool, but have advised not to approach the bird in case it becomes spooked. 

At just 14-weeks old, the bird had just grown adult feathers so it hasn't had its wings clipped yet.

It's been confirmed that Lancashire Police were informed on Friday afternoon regarding the missing bird. 

A pelican is missing from a zoo after flying away from its enclosure when it was scared by a flock of seagulls

A spokesman for Blackpool Zoo said: 'Keepers followed it out of the zoo and lost sight of it at 4pm, when it was headed in the direction of the South Shore area of the resort. It has been seen in the area since and keepers are following up all sightings.

'Searches are continuing from dawn to dusk every day and we remain hopeful that it will be found.

'Pelicans are beautiful, docile creatures and there is no threat to the public. We would ask that people do not approach the bird if they see it as it they may scare it.

'This is the first time we have had an incident like this, which was down to the ever-growing problems we, and the town, continue to have with seagulls.'

Blackpool Zoo are the only place in the UK to have successfully bred pelicans 

They added that 'Blackpool Zoo has housed this magnificent species for many years.

'We are the only collection in the UK to have successfully bred them, which makes the youngster very special.'

The pelican is described as 4ft tall with brown feathers and poses no threat to the public.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12388855/Call-Flying-Squad-Hunt-rare-pelican-escaped-Blackpool-Zoo-terrorised-aggressive-seagulls.html