Pelican placed in kayak after Wild Bird Rescues Gold Coast finds it entangled in fishing line

At first glance, this picture looks quirky and funny as a man paddles on the waterways in a kayak with a pelican in front. But there is a sad, disturbing truth behind the photo.

Rowley Goonan from Wild Bird Rescue Gold Coast saves a pelican by kayaking out to grab her. Picture: supplied

A PHOTO of a kayaker ferrying a pelican along a Gold Coast waterway has a sad, disturbing truth behind it.

Rowley Goonan, founder of Wild Bird Rescues Gold Coast, had just picked up the female pelican from the middle of a Burleigh waterway after residents spotted her entangled in heavy duty fishing line.

It meant the large bird could not fly.

Rowley Goonan from Wild Bird Rescue Gold Coast saves a pelican by kayaking out to grab her. Picture: supplied

Mr Goonan’s latest rescue has highlighted a problem plaguing Gold Coast waterways — discarded fishing line.

He previously told the Bulletin that birds are often caught up in fishing line, leading to leg injuries, amputations or even death.

The veteran rescuer said that to rescue the distressed pelican he had to borrow the kayak from a man who had been paddling close by.

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The hook caught in her feathers. Picture: supplied

A resident holds her beak closed while she’s untangled. Picture: supplied

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The kayaker had been keeping an eye on the bird, but was concerned about her sharp beak, he said.

“The pelican couldn’t get airborne, which was lucky for me. The fishing line was caught under her wing,” Mr Goonan said.

“I managed to get on the kayak, quietly moved in and grabbed the fishing float. Then I pulled her gently towards me.”

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Mr Goonan managed to place the pelican in front of him and paddled about 500m to shore, where he then untangled the fishing line.

Rowley Goonan releases the pelican Picture: supplied

A hook was caught in the pelican’s feathers. Once the hook and line were removed and a thorough check was made, she was released immediately.

“She was a lovely little bird,” Mr Goonan said.

“She was looking at the front and around on the kayak. She could have turned around and nipped me — they can do that very quickly. They have to be fast to fish.

“But it’s the same message as always.

“Never put out fishing line and leave it unattended. It’s just guaranteed to catch a bird.”

Mr Goonan said he rescued about 250 birds each year that had been caught in fishing tackle.

“These birds are so vulnerable. Our waterways (have) so much crap in the water, these guys are in trouble with it.”