Pelican released after recovering at New Mexico Wildlife Center
SANTA FE, N.M. — The New Mexico Wildlife Center released a pelican that police and animal services in Santa Fe found injured last month.
The center took care of “Pecos Pete,” as they called him, for about a week and a half after authorities found him in rough shape behind a bush.
“He did not have any recent injuries but he was hypothermic and very dehydrated. After a week and a half in care, he was doing great – maintaining a good body temperature, staying hydrated, and eating whole fish on his own. The best thing for him at that point was to get him back out into the wild!” the center stated.
The center stated they found there was a group of American White Pelicans at Elephant Butte Reservoir. They stated the presence of other pelicans showed them there was enough food and space to also support Pete.
“One of our wonderful hospital volunteers, Lucy, and her husband, Tom, drove the pelican all the way down to Elephant Butte for release. Thank you to Lucy and Tom for releasing this bird and getting some footage of his return to the wild!” the center stated in a post showing his release.
While it’s unclear how Pecos Pete ended up here, a spokesperson for the center said New Mexico is in the middle of a migratory flyway.
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