For more than a year, Israeli soldiers have been lying in trenches and hiding near the Lebanese border fence, on constant alert to prevent Radwan fighters from infiltrating northern Israeli communities. But amid the battlefield's chaos—rockets whistling through the air and interceptors lighting up the sky with pyrotechnic explosions—IDF troops sometimes find themselves offering aid to animals as well.
Last week, during an operational mission, one officer spotted a white pelican in distress. Accustomed to rescue operations involving the wounded, this time he needed additional help. The white pelican is the largest bird in Israel and one of the largest flying birds in the world, with a wingspan of up to 10 feet.
Coordinating with Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority, the pelican was quickly taken to the wildlife rehabilitation center at KKL-JNF’s Hula Lake, where it arrived weak and in pain. "A young pelican, only a few months old, arrived, and an X-ray revealed a broken wing. It was likely shot during its flight from Lebanon," said Dr. Rona Nadler Valensi, a veterinarian and the center’s director.
As migration season peaks, migrating birds face numerous dangers, including illegal hunting. Experts believe the pelican was likely injured by Lebanese poachers rather than by crossfire between the Israeli military and Hezbollah forces.
Injured pelican returned to the wild after short recovery
(Video: KKL-JNF)
The pelican’s wing was treated and bandaged, and it was placed in a quiet area to recover. By the weekend, it had healed enough to be released back into the wild at Hula Lake. "Fortunately, the fracture was not complicated," Dr. Nadler said with relief, adding, "The rehabilitation center continues to save lives, even during these challenging times. Our dedicated team is committed to caring for injured animals daily, hoping for a future where humans and wildlife can live in safety."
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