In this Jan. 11, 2019 photo, Bert the pelican occupies a space at the Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island in Saunderstown, R.I. The out-of-place pelican and an injured owl will likely remain stranded at the Rhode Island facility until the end of the partial federal government shutdown. The Providence Journal reported that the juvenile brown pelican — likely steered north by high winds — had become a sensation to bird watchers and dock workers. (Steve Szydlowski/Providence Journal via AP)
Republished January 12, 2019 - 4:04 PM
Original Publication Date January 12, 2019 - 8:16 AM
NARRAGANSETT, R.I. - An out-of-place pelican and an injured owl will likely remain stranded at a Rhode Island wildlife facility until the end of the partial federal government shutdown.
The Providence Journal reports that the juvenile brown pelican — likely steered north by high winds — had become a sensation to bird watchers and dock workers who nicknamed him "Bert."
The bird was taken to the Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island as temperatures dropped, where executive director Kristin Fletcher says they can't get the needed federal permits to move him to a southern location.
Fletcher says the group also has an owl with a severe eye injury. It had been slotted for transfer to Massachusetts for life-saving surgery, but its travels are also on hold.
News from © The Associated Press, 2019