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Firefighters Free Pelican Stuck In Haulover Beach Tree

HAULOVER BEACH (CBSMiami) – A Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crew took part in an emergency rescue in Haulover Beach of the feathered kind.

The crew was called to the scene, a tree near the Haulover Beach Jetty, after someone spotted a pelican struggling to get out of a giant tree.

In video from Chopper 4, the pelican could be seen struggling and flapping its wings in an effort to free itself but one of the bird's wings appeared to be tangled in a branch wrapped in fishing line.

Firefighters used one of their ladder trucks during the rescue. They stretched the ladder high into the tree and two firefighters climbed the tree to reach the tangled bird.

Once they reached the bird, they untangled it and placed it in a big net for the climb back down the ladder.

GALLERY: HIGH-FLYING PELICAN RESCUE AT HAULOVER BEACH

The pelican, which was nicknamed Precious, was then taken to the Pelican Harbor Seabird Station where the fishing line was removed and the bird checked for injuries.  Precious the pelican is expected to fully recover and be released back into the wild within a few days.

Pelican Harbor rescues approximately 2,000 birds a year - most always from man made hazards such as fishing line, nets and plastic bags.

Humans also make things worse for seabirds by feeding them.

"They really can't tell the difference between you throwing them a fish or you throwing your line and hook out with a fish on it," said Pelican Harbor Director Jan Pye.  "So, they go for the fish on the line and end up hooked."

Click Here if you'd like to donate or volunteer to help the injured birds.  Pelican Harbor Seabird Station is a non-profit organization, and your contributions are tax deductible.

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