One local resident cited what appeared to be a sinker and hook swinging from the line wrapped around the sea bird’s foot.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

It was causing the pelican to have great trouble settling down to roost for the night.

Having parked itself atop a 6-metre-high light pole, as local pelicans habitually do, the situation was too dangerous for any human-attempted rescue.

Given the darkness, height of the pole, and high risk of danger in not knowing what the fishing line was wrapped around, volunteers at WINC (Wildlife In Need of Care), said the best option was to let the bird rest and reassess the situation in the morning.

An icon of the area, pelicans are a common and welcome sight, so witnessing one in distress is upsetting.

The following morning, it appeared another pelican had come to its aid and helped with the disentanglement.

While not witnessed, both were seen sitting side-by-side with the first pelican’s foot free, and a fishing line with sinker attached on the ground below.

“This should serve as a cautionary tale that humans fishing really need to clean up after themselves,” Nat from WINC told News Of The Area.

“As we are coming into the migratory season, we can prevent loss of life.

“The Central Coast has a ‘Take 3 policy’, prompting visitors to our waterways to take three pieces of garbage with them – pick it up and don’t ignore it.”

When last sighted, the pelican was sitting and standing properly, but may still have a piece of fishing line wrapped around a feather or wing.

Locals around Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest and surrounds are asked to keep an eye out.

By Thomas O’KEEFE