Update: Take This Broken Wing

Coden Pelican An injured pelican in Coden is on the way to get medical attention.

by Tiffany Craig

Published: Fri, May 01, 2009 - 5:30 pm CST

A pelican in Coden has a broken wing and a News 5 viewer wants to help it fly again.

Rick Williams says he's been watching the pelican float around and perch on a work barge in Coden. He has no experience with big birds but really wants to get it some help.

Some might argue that "it's just a pelican." Rick's response is that if we can save a turtle and the beach mouse, why can't we help a pelican too?

Williams says he's called just about everyone who rescues animals and can't find anyone willing to drive down to Coden Bayou. "I've been watching him for the past 4 days and he's suffering more and more everyday. I just don't understand why we can't get somebody out here to help him. You can tell he's in a lot of pain and he can barely get around. He's not able to catch any food or anything like that."

Early Saturday morning, Sandra Smith from West Mobile took her kayak to Coden and found the pelican. She says it wasn't easy but she scooped it up and will take it to get medical help.

Thanks Sandra!

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BamaBob Says:

Wed, May 06, 2009 at 2:36 pm

Thanks for going to the rescue Sandra. Hate the bird couldn’t recover, but at least the effort was made. Any idea how it might have broken its wing?

sescrows Says:

Wed, May 06, 2009 at 2:28 pm

This is Sandra. It’s unfortunate that the bird had to be euthanized, but at least it didn’t sit out there for another week and completely starve to death.As anyone who’s been around animals for a long time knows,at some point there will be a time when you end up with one that is just too far gone and all you can do is ease the suffering.That was the case with this one.Everyone involved did what they could to help the bird.There are only a couple of people to call in this situation.One of them was out of town, and the other wanted to help, but had several dozen other animals to take care of and couldn’t go to get it.I’m no different than those of you who pull over to help a turtle cross the road.I just happen to have worked with birds for a long time and knew how to “try” to get the pelican and hoped I would be successful.I’m sure most other people would have done the same thing if they had known what to do.I’m just glad that people like Rick and Tiffany cared enough to get the word out

carl Says:

Sun, May 03, 2009 at 6:19 am

GOD bless the bird and those that tried to help.Sandra tried to help the bird and ended up taking the bird to it’s executioners and that’s probably unfair to call the person that,that made that decision.I would have found it very hard for me to put it to death after it tried so hard to live.For me that would have been a hard call to make but the animal pounds make that decision every day on abandoned animals.Wished it could have had a better outcome.

autumnwhispers Says:

Sat, May 02, 2009 at 1:19 pm

And I’m embarrassed that I forgot to mention that Tiffany C is also an angel. Thanks, Tiffany!!!

autumnwhispers Says:

Sat, May 02, 2009 at 1:17 pm

Sandra, you are an ANGEL!!! I’ve been worrying about that poor bird since I heard about it on the news. I wish I were skilled in handling large, wild birds.. or at least new how to swim. But thank God for big-hearted folks like you and the gentleman who brought this to News 5’s attention! I’m SO happy and relieved!

BamaBob Says:

Sat, May 02, 2009 at 11:30 am

Go Sandra Go!

BamaBob Says:

Sat, May 02, 2009 at 9:10 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd4PeXrGKEs

BamaBob Says:

Sat, May 02, 2009 at 8:00 am

Good for Tiffany! She works hard for the money and she deserves a little respect!

Tiffany Craig Says:

Sat, May 02, 2009 at 7:19 am

Hey Opinionwriter, I AM old school!