Monday 30th October, Bird Sanctuary and Aquarium

We visited the ‘Pelican Mans’ Bird Sanctuary which is named after the founder, a Mr Dale Shields. The story goes as follows.
In 1981 Dale rescued an injured pelican. There were no wildlife Hospital’s in Sarasota then so he nursed the bird called ‘George’ back to health by himself. Soon afterwards Dale had a heart attack and while in the hospital he promised that if he got well, he would take care of wildlife for the rest of his life. Dale kept his promise and was nicknamed the ‘Pelican Man’.
Dale was so successful in helping Florida’s birds that he attracted many volunteers, and in 1985 he founded Pelican man’s Bird Sanctuary, which is a non profit organisation. In 1987 the City of Sarasota leased Dale this land on the bay for USD 1.00 per year.
Most of the birds in the hospital have broken wings or are blind, some are received with damage and then are released when fit although this does not happen to all birds. It was a very nice place to visit and some beautiful birds are there. Almost all of the photos are taken through the wired cages and so I hope they are ok.
We then went next door to the Aquarium where there was a large selection of fish as well as dolphins and Manatees. The dolphins were very young when they were brought in so are unable to fend for themselves in the wild.
The shark’s tank was great but difficult to take photos.

They also have an area where they treat injured animals like turtles, sharks or dolphins that get caught in nets or are suffering from infections. They are cared for here and then returned to the wild as quickly as possible.
Both Jennifer and I preferred the Bird Sanctuary of the two visits and would certainly go there again.
It was very hot today and so after a late lunch downtown we headed back for a book reading early evening. Jennifer looked out at the lake and there was the resident alligator sunning itself on the fountain, which is still not working, Noel has put the picture on the photo blog.

It was a very pleasant day indeed.