Pelican in Stevenage

This European White Pelican arrived at Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage, on Thursday 30th August. On Friday 31st August via a red ring with white letters 'CSF' it was identified as an escapee from Blackbrook Zoological Park in Staffordshire. According to the Zoo, it and another Pelican had escaped a week previously and had been present at a moorland site until Wednesday 29th August. One of these escapees had been recaptured, but the second has somehow turned up in Stevenage. On Friday 31st August it was stated that two keepers had been despatched from the Zoo and it was hoped to recapture it either later Friday evening or Saturday.

I'd been surprised to see reports that it was still there late Saturday and on Sunday, so thinking it'd make a good blip pic I headed up there today to see if it was still around.

So today Monday, 3rd September why is it still there? Chatting to a fisherman he had heard that it was no longer going to be recaptured as it was too far for the Zoo to come and he also had heard the RSPCA weren't going to take any action as the bird wasn't in distress. He wasn't entirely happy with this situation as he pays a fee to fish this stocked lake and reckoned the Pelican would soon clear it out. Given that when the bird first arrived it had been seen turning to resident birds for food - devouring baby Moorhens and young Mallards, I thought eating fish was actually a turn for the better, although I thought better of voicing that opinion, especially when he went on to say that if this situation is not resolved it may be that some rogue fisherman may well shoot the bird.

Another story I heard was from a park worker, who hadn't actually seen it himself but thought an attempt had been made by the Zoo to recapture the bird and failed. I've no idea what the truth is behind these rumours, but surely Blackbrook Zoological Park in Staffordshire needs to sort this out whatever the cost to them is it's irrelevant. They caused the problem, they need to solve it and definitely not at the expense of the Pelican.

Edit: From Comet24, Tuesday, September 4, 2012 15:00 A pelican that has made its home at Fairlands Valley Park, may soon be making the 130 mile trip back to a zoo, in a car this time.

The great white pelican has been at the lakes since Friday morning, drawing hundreds to see it, but staff from Blackbrook Zoological Park in Staffordshire arrive this afternoon (Tuesday) to try and catch it.

Recovery team member, Kevin Shannon, said catching it is not easy, but the method is pretty basic.

"We are going to entice it to the bank with a load of fish and then when it's close enough, grab it. You just jump on it basically. They have quite a sharp beak with a hook on it - that's their defence, so you've got to be careful."