Escaped pelicans safely returned to Pittsburgh Zoo after escaping habitat
Incident Date:
10/17/2026
Location:
Pittsburgh, PA - USA
Facility Name:
Pittsburgh Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Escape of animal (EA)
Species:
Other
Animal:
Pelican
Animal disposition:
Recaptured
Summary:
PITTSBURGH, PA – Two pelicans have returned to the Pittsburgh Zoo Saturday night after escaping their habitat in the morning, leading to a day-long search.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium said the two brown pelicans, Joey and Felicity, are safely back at the zoo with no injuries. The zoo said teams monitored both animals until they could be safely approached and recovered. Neither animal was injured, but both will be monitored by the zoo’s health team.
More than a dozen members of the public called a zoo hotline established to help monitor the birds.
Action take by Born Free USA:
Notes: