By Walter Michot
The Miami Herald
DANIA BEACH, Fla. — Firefighters have been known to rescue cats from trees, but this was new.
Dania Beach Fire Capt. Jim Reid and park ranger John Prisler from John U. Lloyd Beach State Park climbed a fire ladder Thursday morning to perform a delicate rescue of a pelican impaled on a fish hook.
A small crowd applauded to show its appreciation.
The drama took place near the historic Dania Beach pier, in the branches of an Australian pine, just outside the entrance to the park. The pelican was suspended in mid-air.
The hook, snagged onto the tip of its right wing, was tied to a line that was tangled in the branches of the tree — at least 40 feet above ground.
The pelican was alive but helpless. Sharon Schultz noticed the stuck bird Thursday morning and reported it to a pier worker.
Shultz said the employee told her the pelican had been there since Tuesday — but had gotten no help from authorities. Schultz called agencies but didn’t get much action until after dialing WPLG-ABC 10.
“If it had been up there since Tuesday, I’m surprised it’s still alive,” Schultz said. “If you need something done, you have to go to the media.”
Post-rescue, the bird was tucked into a cage and taken into the park. It is destined for a wildlife center in Fort Lauderdale, where, with luck, it will be nursed to health.
Copyright 2008 The Miami Herald