10/17/2026
Two brown pelicans, Joey and Felicity, are safely back at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium this evening with no injuries after leaving their habitat this morning.
Zoo staff are overjoyed and relieved that the birds are healthy, and deeply grateful for the communityās support during this event.
Public support was vital to the recovery effort. Using boats provided by Pittsburgh River Rescue and Three Rivers Waterkeeper, as well as support from the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Aviary, and over a dozen calls from members of the public, two Zoo teams constantly monitored both birds until they could be safely approached and recovered.
While both birds are free of injury, they will be receiving a thorough evaluation by the animal health team. They will be returning soon to their residence in Kids Kingdom with fellow pelican Pierre and their neighbors, the Zooās colony of Humboldt penguins.