Beyond the Call of Duty
updated: Jul 01, 2012, 8:58 PM

Betsy Cramer

This morning, June Taylor got a call about "a stork" on the freeway. June is one of the SB Wildlife Care Network help line responders as well as the seabird specialist, doing preliminary stabilization of injured or ailing seabirds. She knows that "storks" are likely to be pelicans or even smaller birds. She called 911; they contacted the CHP, having no luck reaching Animal Control, not on duty on weekends.

The CHP located the downed bird between Castillo and Garden Streets and called her back. She called me and I rushed out with pelican-sized flower box (thanks, Trader Joe's!), net and dread, fearing to find a grievously injured, bloody bird.

There on the shoulder of the South-bound freeway, was a very concerned CHP officer and a juvenile pelican lying on its back. Never having seen a pelican on his back, I thought it was dead. But the limp bird stirred, blinked, and I bundled him up, assuring the officer who was hoping it would be okay, that I would hurry to CARE Animal Hospital just an exit away and they would determine.

CARE's X-ray showed no broken spine, as I had feared for the seemingly near-dead bird. In the hospital, the pelican stood up and walked a little. I brought him to June's where she with her assistant, Eric, hydrated him. I just called her this afternoon and the bird is eating and should be okay. I wish I had gotten the officer's name, but I hope someone in the CHP notices this. Thanks very much to the kind officer: he helped save the bird's life, he with the combined assistance of CARE, the SBWCN volunteers and, of course, the first caller.

Send this picture as a postcard

# # # #

Send this picture as a postcard

# # # #

Send this picture as a postcard

# # # #

# # # #

8 comments on this article. Read/Add

# # # #