Hundreds join protest and wildlife rescuer fears for Bribie’s iconic pelicans

Hundreds of residents have protested over new metal bars along a bridge north of Brisbane but rescue groups say it might be too late to save an island icon.

Paula and Bridgette Powers are from Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue. Photo AAP/ Ric Frearson

A wildlife rescue group fears for the future of Bribie’s bridge pelicans if they cannot find a safe place to roost.

The warning follows Saturday’s Pelican March across the bridge in protest at metal bird deterrents installed on the street lights.

It is estimated more than 700 people joined the campaign - many arguing the bridge pelicans were a Bribie icon.

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Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue’s Paula Powers said it was sad to see the birds’ safe haven taken away and was conerned they may not return.

“If they can’t roost there, they will try to find another safe spot away from dogs and other predators,” she said.

Ms Powers and her twin sister Bridget are regularly called to pelicans that had been attacked by dogs.

Bribie Bridge pelican protest on Saturday.

“There’s been a big drop in pelican numbers in the last ten years,” she said.

“The metal rods are going to push the pelicans away, but where will they go?”

State LNP MP for Pumicestone Simone Wilson estimated that between 700-1000 residents marched across the bridge on Saturday.

More on the bridge pelicans:

Uproar over metal bird bars

Residents launch protest

“The Pelican March was a phenomenal success and sent a clear message that our pelicans should be returned to their rightful roost on the Bridge,” she said.

“I will be raising this issue in Parliament next week when it sits and calling on Minister Mark Bailey to fix this.

Bribie Bridge pelican protest April 27, 2019

“If I don’t get the Minister’s commitment rest assured there will be more community action until our pelicans are able to safely roost again on the Bribie Bridge.”

Claire Smith commented on the Bribie Weekly’s Facebook page saying: “The pelicans are a tourist attraction - get the pelicans back.”

Margaret Zmuda said she loved seeing the pelicans perched on the bridge lights when visiting from Sydney.

Amanda Pressley put forward this solution: “Put platforms on the opposite side to lights on each pole over the water, simple!”

But Shari Harvey believes: “There are much bigger issues than this. I think that people really need to focus their energy elsewhere, like tidying up the beaches so the pelicans don’t choke on the rubbish”.

A spokesman for the Department of Transport and Main Roads said they were investigating alternative options for pelicans to roost on Bribie Island Bridge.

“The investigation will consider environmental and road safety factors, as well as potential costs,”he said