PITTSBURGH \u2014 A pair of pelicans was rescued Saturday after escaping their enclosure at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium.<\/p>\n
>>> PHOTOS: Search crews scour Allegheny River for pelicans that escaped Pittsburgh Zoo <<<<\/a><\/p>\n The Pittsburgh Zoo confirmed to Channel 11 around 11 a.m. that they were \u201caware that two pelicans are currently outside of their habitat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur animal care team is monitoring the situation and is actively working on their safe return,\u201d a statement from the zoo reads. \u201cAnimal safety and well-being remain our top priority. We will share additional information as it becomes available.\u201d<\/p>\n A Channel 11 photographer captured crews searching for the pelicans between the Highland Park Bridge and 62nd Street Bridge. <\/p>\n At 4 p.m., the zoo said that one of the pelicans, Joey, had been safely rescued from the Allegheny River near Sharpsburg. <\/p>\n The second bird, Felicity, was still being monitored by zoo officials, who are \u201coptimistic\u201d about her rescue.<\/p>\n Around 4:46 p.m., Felicity was also rescued. Channel 11 cameras captured her back in zoo officials\u2019 care.<\/p>\n \u201cZoo staff are overjoyed and relieved that the birds are healthy, and deeply grateful for the community\u2019s support during this event,\u201d the zoo said in a social media post.<\/p>\n The zoo reportedly took more than a dozen tips from the public, and received help from Pittsburgh River Rescue, Three Rivers Waterkeeper, the Army Corps of Engineers and the National Aviary.<\/p>\n Both birds will undergo a health check back at the zoo before returning to their habitat.<\/p>\n The pelicans arrived at the Pittsburgh Zoo in July 2025 and live with the Humboldt penguins.<\/p>\n In a social media post<\/a> from July 11, 2025, Seaside Seabird Sanctuary said the pelicans could not be released back into the wild due to wing injuries from fishing tackle.<\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n