It is with a sad heart
that we tell our readers that Gumbo, the Brown Pelican, passed away suddenly
and unexpectedly last week.
There was no indication at
feeding time that morning of any problem, but a few hours later he was observed
acting strangely by one of our volunteers,,who immediately alerted a staff
member. By the time the staff
member reached Gumbo’s enclosure he had expired.
Gumbo’s actual age was
unknown. He came to World Bird
Sanctuary during the Gulf of Mexico oil spill of 2010. He was originally treated for a left
wing injury at Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary in Florida in December of 2008. Gumbo was not releasable, and so was
kept on permanent exhibit with fellow Brown Pelican, Cocoa--an exhibit that was
the perfect size for two permanently captive Brown Pelicans
The experienced wildlife
rehabilitators at Suncoast knew that Gumbo’s and Cocoa’s enclosure could house
up to 40 injured oiled seabirds on a short-term basis, if needed. The large number of birds admitted to
Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary during the 2010 oil spill stretched their capacity
to the llimit. Suncoast asked
World Bird Sanctuary to provide a home to Gumbo and Cocoa so that their
enclosure could be used for the short-term housing of the many injured seabirds
admitted to Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary during and after the oil spill.
Gumbo will be missed, as
he and his companion Cocoa were a welcome addition to our display line—allowing
visitors to see the differences between the Brown Pelican and their neighbors
on the display line, the American White Pelican.
Submitted by Gay Schroer,
World Bird Sanctuary Volunteer/Photographer
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