PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The Seaside Seabird Sanctuary celebrated its 10th anniversary Saturday by releasing around 50 recovered pelicans back into the wild.
The sanctuary hosts releases every six to eight weeks for birds that have fully recovered.
“Back to where you belong,” volunteer Ghislaine Loree said during the release.
Loree said it was her eighth time helping release pelicans. She said the releases are one of her favorite parts of volunteering because they show the birds are ready to return.
“We get them in the pen back there, and we give them a little test. They have to swim across a little pond, and this guy is definitely ready to head back,” Loree said.
The sanctuary treats an average of 3,000 birds a year, according to hospital director Melissa Edwards. About half of those birds are released back into the wild.
Edwards said many birds arrive with injuries caused by car crashes, window strikes and fishing hooks.
“You really have to be thorough checking for hooks because they can hide in their feathers, and unfortunately it’s a really common cause of their injuries,” Edwards said.
Some birds have injuries that are too severe for release. In those cases, the sanctuary works with other organizations to find them permanent homes, or the birds remain at the sanctuary, which is open to visitors daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Edwards said reaching 10 years is significant for the sanctuary, especially after the 2024 hurricanes caused challenges. She said the community stepped in to help.
“Seeing them take their next flight after an injury, it makes it all worth it,” Edwards said.