Pelicans’ Story – Giving Challenge 2026
Pelicans’ Story
What most people do not see is how often they struggle to survive.
Pelicans are one of the most familiar sights along Florida’s coastline. They glide just above the water, dive with precision, and seem perfectly adapted to their environment. But what most people do not see is how often they struggle to survive.
In 2025 alone, 42 Brown Pelicans were brought to Peace River Wildlife Center. Of those, only 22 were able to be released back into the wild. Three Great White Pelicans also came into care, and only one was strong enough to return.
Many arrive injured from fishing line entanglements, hook wounds, or other preventable hazards. Others come in weak, unable to hunt, or already fighting infection. By the time they reach us, they are often in critical condition.
Some recover. Some do not. And some will never be able to leave.
At our Education Center, pelicans like Big Mac and BeBe live as permanent residents after wing amputations made survival in the wild impossible. They are joined by several Brown Pelicans who can no longer fly, including one who has been in our care since 2001.
Their lives look different than they were meant to, but they still have purpose. Every day, they help visitors understand the challenges wildlife face and the impact people can have, both harmful and helpful.
Pelicans are not rare cases. They are a constant reminder of the work that happens every single day at Peace River Wildlife Center. They need medical care, food, safe habitat, and time to heal. And they need people willing to make that care possible.
#BeTheOne
#BeTheOne who helps rescue pelicans when they are injured and unable to survive on their own.
#BeTheOne who supports the treatment and recovery of wildlife every single day.
#BeTheOne who provides lifelong care for those that can never return to the wild.
Saving one animal won’t change the world, but it will change the world for that one animal.
