Brown Pelican Takes To Skies After Successful Eye Surgery

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DANIA BEACH (CBSMiami) -- The South Florida Wildlife Center has released a pelican back into the wild following successful surgery the bird had for cataracts.

The brown pelican was rescued by fishermen in March and admitted to the Wildlife Center, weak and malnourished, primarily suffering from loss of vision in its left eye due to a severe cataract.

For months, staff rehabilitated the pelican and enlisted the help Dr. Robert Swinger of Premier Veterinary Specialties to perform pro-bono cataract surgery.

Now recovered from the procedure, officials said the bird's vision has returned and it was freed Thursday morning at John U. Lloyd Park at the Jetty Pavilion.