A brown pelican injured by fishing gear made an unusual visit to a marine research facility in Panama City, Florida, earlier this month, prompting quick action from scientists who typically study fish and sharks. The bird appeared at the back door of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) laboratory on Sept. 8, tapping its beak against the glass to get attention.

Upon inspection, researchers found the pelican entangled in a fishing line wrapped around its right wing, with a double-barbed treble hook embedded in the wing restricting its flight. Additionally, about a dozen cactus spines were lodged in its left foot. The bird appeared to have traveled roughly a quarter-mile from St. Andrew Bay, a nearby habitat where brown pelicans are common.

Annsli Hilton, a University of Miami research associate working at the NOAA facility, said she was surprised the pelican had come to the lab on its own. “I always kind of thought… animals would know to either come to me for help or to come to the lab for help, but I never thought it would happen,” she said. The laboratory is fenced off from the road, making it unlikely the bird was brought there by someone else.

Scientists restrained the pelican carefully: one held the bird’s abdomen and beak to prevent injury, while another controlled the wounded wing. Hilton cut the fishing line, and with wire cutters and forceps, the team removed the hook and cactus spines. The treatment took about five minutes, during which the pelican remained calm.

Following the procedure, the bird was released near the basin by the lab, where it stretched its wings before flying away. Deborah Jaques, founder of the nonprofit Pelican Science, emphasized that without intervention the pelican likely would have faced starvation or predation, as flight is crucial for feeding and survival.

Experts offered insights into the pelican’s behavior. Gerald Hough, a bird behavior professor at Rowan University, suggested the bird may have associated the facility with food, having seen researchers carry fish there. Pelicans often spend time near people and docks due to the availability of food, and young pelicans in particular can be less wary of humans. Juliet Lamb, a marine scientist specializing in seabirds, noted the pelican likely hatched this spring or summer based on its brown plumage.

Hough also speculated the pelican may have pecked at the glass door after mistaking its reflection for another bird or simply to seek shade. Although pelicans are not considered as intelligent as some other bird species, this incident adds to previous reports of injured animals, such as cormorants, dolphins, and manta rays, actively approaching humans for assistance.

Hilton reflected on the rare encounter, calling it “a once-in-a-lifetime experience” to have a pelican literally knock at the door seeking help. The episode highlights the sometimes unexpected interactions between wildlife and scientists and the crucial role researchers can play in animal welfare.