WWT London Wetland Centre has welcomed a flock of 10 Australian pelicans, making it the only place in the UK where visitors can see this remarkable species. The flock, made up of four males and six females, has settled into their new home at Pelican Creek, where visitors can walk through the habitat and experience these impressive birds up close.
Native to Australia, Australian pelicans are among the world’s largest flying birds, with wingspans of up to 2.5 metres and the longest bill of any living bird. At WWT London, the flock will act as ambassadors for Australia’s threatened wetlands, helping visitors discover why these biodiverse habitats are so important for wildlife and people alike.
Calvin Allen, Grounds & Living Collections Manager at WWT London Wetland Centre, said:
“Bringing this flock to WWT London has been a hugely exciting project. Having helped rear some of these pelicans, it’s incredibly special to see them now settled into their new home.
They’ve all got their own unique personalities, and I’m sure visitors will quickly have their favourites. Wally is often the first to greet people and is never shy at mealtimes, Dewi is always curious about what’s going on around him, and Winnie is easy to spot thanks to the distinctive bald patch on her head.
We hope visitors enjoy getting to know the flock while discovering more about these remarkable birds and the wetlands they represent.”
Visitors to WWT London can now visit Pelican Creek, which opened on Tuesday 14 July. Staff and volunteers will be on hand for walk-through sessions throughout the day, depending on availability, and visitors can also enjoy twice-daily pelican feeds and keeper talks at 10:30am and 1:30pm.
Entry to the new Pelican Creek exhibit is included with admission to WWT London and free to WWT members.
