Baby pelicans released at Tangalooma Island Resort by The Twinnies
Earlier this year, the now-viral Twinnies Pelican Rescue — Paula and Bridgette Powers, affectionately known as the Pelican Twins — visited Tangalooma Island Resort for a very special mission. The Twinnies, whose heartwarming rescue stories have taken social media by storm, brought two adorable 6-month-old pelican chicks for release: a little male named Mr Percival and his sister Miss Penny.
The chicks were born in captivity to a rescued pelican mum, who sadly can no longer fly due to permanent injuries from fishing line entanglement. Thanks to the expert care of the Twinnies, the siblings were ready for their next chapter — life in the wild.
Tangalooma, with its thriving pelican population and pristine coastal environment, was chosen as the perfect release site. Surrounded by wild pelicans near the iconic Tangalooma Jetty, Mr Percival and Miss Penny had the best chance at integrating into their natural habitat.
Our Eco Rangers eagerly awaited their arrival and watched with joy as the young pelicans cautiously stepped from their travel crates onto the soft white sands of Tangalooma. After a brief pause, they made their way to the shoreline and took to the skies — soaring effortlessly over the sparkling blue waters, exploring their new home from above.
It has been a couple of weeks now since the chicks were released and they are still becoming familiar with the surroundings of the Gheebulum Coonungai (Moreton Island) National Park, and are forming bonds with the other pelicans that visit Tangalooma every day.
As the chicks were born in captivity in a rehabilitation and rescue centre, they are very trusting of humans, so much so, they tend to sleep in the dolphin feeding area next to the guests who are lining up to do the dolphin feed and sometimes the chicks will hunt and catch fish during the feed.
We look forward to seeing these young birds journey over the next few months as when they build bonds with the local Pelicans of Moreton Island, they will probably join the flock and leave the resort area to return to the wild.