UPDATE: Pelican Injured at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Lake Is Healthy Again, Released Back Into the Wild Saturday

A white pelican in the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve lake that was injured in October has recovered, thanks to the combined efforts of local residents and animal services agencies, and was set free and back into the wild Saturday.

The lucky bird was released on Saturday, December 1 around 11 a.m. at the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Lake by  International Bird Rescue, according to Valley Audubon member Muriel Kotin. It was released at the same time as a second pelican that had been found in Long Beach with a broken bill.

The distressed pelican was spotted by a San Fernando Valley Audubon member in October with a plastic bottle caught on one of its feet. They reported the incident, and the bird was rescued and rehabilitated with the help of Muriel Kotin of the Audubon Society, photographer and nature enthusiast Jim Hanlon, the West San Fernando Valley Animal Services Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team including Annette Ramirez and Officer Armando Navarrete, the California Wildlife Center, International Bird Rescue, East Valley Animal Shelter and the California Wildlife Center. 

Click on the slideshow to see photos of the injured pelican being captured, restored to health and released.