Meet a pelican up close Sept. 11 at Greenspace Creekside Reserve
Cambria residents and visitors can meet a brown pelican up close at Greenspace’s Creekside Reserve from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 11.
He’s Morro, an education pelican who lives with Dani Nicholson at her Cayucos home. Back in 2009, he was rescued, weak and starving, unable to fly with an injured left wing. His rescuers brought him to Pacific Wildlife Care in Morro Bay for rehabilitation. His injured wing healed, but not well enough to allow him to fly freely. He would never be able to succeed living in the wild.
Nicholson gave him a permanent home and launched him on his career in education. She has a U.S. Fish and Wildlife permit that allows her to bring Morro to schools and other educational presentations. Most captive pelicans are in zoos.
“Seeing one in a zoo isn’t the same as being up close and watching how they behave,” she said. “Morro is about 2 feet tall, as tall as some of the kids that come to see him.”
Nicholson established her own nonprofit, Willow Tree Wildlife, for education and advocacy.
Pelicans don’t have a voice, but they pantomime to each other, wave their heads around, and make little sounds. They are very social.
Dani Nicholson
Morro was featured in the documentary “Pelican Dreams,” available as a DVD and from the Cambria Library. He remains humble and willing to meet the public. Guests are welcome to pose with him for photos. No touching, please, and no dogs.
“People can get up close and personal with this bird, stand within a few feet of him,” Nicholson said. “He is used to people.”
Nicholson acquired a companion for Morro in April, Solimar. He’s a brown pelican who had a broken hand and infected foot. He’s well now, but the hand healed in a position that makes it impossible for him to fly. He hasn’t made any public appearances yet but may accompany Morro to Cambria on the 11th.
“It’s interesting to see pelicans interacting,” she said. “Pelicans don’t have a voice, but they pantomime to each other, wave their heads around, and make little sounds. They are very social.”
The event is sponsored by Greenspace — the Cambria Land Trust, requesting a $10 donation at the door.
This story was originally published August 31, 2016 at 9:29 AM with the headline "Meet a pelican up close Sept. 11 at Greenspace Creekside Reserve."