Pelican, caught on a hook, rescued on Sanibel

Two strangers on a beach worked together to try to save a pelican with a hook stuck on its leg.

The rescue happened on Blind Pass Beach on Sanibel.

Cliff Depiano, who is on vacation with his wife, said there was a pelican limping around on the beach. That’s when he noticed the hook.

A stranger, whose name Depiano still does not know, took action first.

“He was a hero,” Depiano said. “He jumped on him, grabbed him by the beak and then the beak scratched his face. You could see in the video, he’s got blood running down.”

Depiano, a fisherman, grabbed his pliers. He knew not to rip out what he said was barbed wire because it could have hurt the bird.

“I didn’t want to do more damage than help,” Depiano said. “I know the hook will rush out eventually, so I cut the hook in half where it could come out, took the cable out and stuff where it wouldn’t hinder him.”

They then undid a hook and line that was tangled around the pelican’s wing.

And then the pelican flew away.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says hugging the bird isn’t breaking any laws. As long as the person is rescuing the bird from a fishing line, they’re protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

The FWC has instructions on what you should do if you hook a bird, as well as a Pelican Rescue Brochure.