At Nautical Treasures and Leo's Sportfishing, we love and respect the wildlife...and we have a special love of pelicans.

Several years ago, a very weak  brown pelican drifted up by the lower dock where Leo was working. This pelican had several hooks and fishing line caught and wrapped around his wing and leg. The hook had pinned his face to the side of his body. It was clear that he was extremely weak and dying.

Leo lifted him out of the water and removed all the hooks and line from his body. For the next two weeks he had to be fed fish everyday until he had enough strength to fly away.

Amazingly enough, this bird we named 3 toes, came back a year later and would do what we called "a dance" for Leo.

3 toes knew Leo's voice and would only "dance" for him. This was a sign of great gratitude and intelligence.

Somehow, the quiet pelican had told his friends, who then told their friends about his great experience with Leo. Before we knew it, we were working with two wildlife rescue centers. These wonderful birds would just show up whether they were bleeding or injured with hooks and line - or starving.

Nautical Treasures and Leo's do our best to do our part to help these birds in time of need.

The pelican is still endangered and is a protected bird. They cannot eat just anything like our seagull friends. Pelicans need to eat only fish. SO PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE PELICANS.

In the last few years with the weather changing the way is has, it is unclear as to why the pelicans are not all flying south during the winter.

If you come across an injured bird, please call native animal rescue. DO NOT attempt to pick up the pelican or touch it. The rescue center will come and properly handle the bird.

If you would like to contribute toward the mackerel fund to feed the pelicans that are unable to care for themselves for whatever reason, they would sure appreciate the help. Contact us to make a financial contribution.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Brown Pelican Datasheet