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Pelicans at Jurong Bird Park get a clean bill of health

Veterinarian Dr. Chiharu Okumura administers a dewormer to a great white pelican during Jurong Bird Park’s annual health check on 20 May to ensure the birds are free of parasites. The annual operation lasted about three hours and involved 12 staff who caught, carried and weighed each of the 34 giant water birds. (Photo: Wildlife Reserves Singapore)
Veterinarian Dr. Chiharu Okumura administers a dewormer to a great white pelican during Jurong Bird Park’s annual health check on 20 May to ensure the birds are free of parasites. The annual operation lasted about three hours and involved 12 staff who caught, carried and weighed each of the 34 giant water birds. (Photo: Wildlife Reserves Singapore)

Thirty-four pelicans at the Jurong Bird Park were given a clean bill of health after undergoing an annual health check on Wednesday (20 May).

Veterinarian Dr. Neo Pei Ci administers a vaccine against avian influenza on a Dalmatian pelican – the largest pelican species – as part of an annual health check at Jurong Bird Park on 20 May. The operation lasted about three hours and involved 12 staff who caught, carried and weighed each of the 34 giant water birds. (Photo: Wildlife Reserves Singapore)

For three hours, the giant birds were caught, carried and weighed, with a sample of their blood collected.

Veterinarian Dr. Chiharu Okumura (left) conducts a physical check on a Dalmatian pelican as part of an annual health check at Jurong Bird Park on 20 May. The operation lasted about three hours and involved 12 staff who caught, carried and weighed each of the 34 giant water birds. (Photo: Wildlife Reserves Singapore)
Veterinarian Dr. Chiharu Okumura (left) conducts a physical check on a Dalmatian pelican as part of an annual health check at Jurong Bird Park on 20 May. The operation lasted about three hours and involved 12 staff who caught, carried and weighed each of the 34 giant water birds. (Photo: Wildlife Reserves Singapore)

The giant birds were also dewormed to ensure they are free of parasites and vaccinated against avian influenza.

A keeper weighs a Dalmatian pelican by holding the bird while standing on the scale. All birds are individually weighed to monitor any significant weight loss or gain which could indicate potential health problems. (Photo: Wildlife Reserves Singapore)
A keeper weighs a Dalmatian pelican by holding the bird while standing on the scale. All birds are individually weighed to monitor any significant weight loss or gain which could indicate potential health problems. (Photo: Wildlife Reserves Singapore)

The annual checks ensure that the giant birds are healthy and facilitates early detection and treatment of illnesses, said Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) in a statement on Tuesday.

Of the 12 Jurong Bird Park staff involved, three were veterinarians and four were vet assistants.

A keeper feeding pelicans at the Jurong Bird Park. (Photo: Wildlife Reserves Singapore)
A keeper feeding pelicans at the Jurong Bird Park. (Photo: Wildlife Reserves Singapore)


Pelicans, characterised by their long beaks and famous elastic throat pouches, are among the heaviest flying birds.

Visitors feeding pelicans at the Jurong Bird Park. (Photo: Wildlife Reserves Singapore)
Visitors feeding pelicans at the Jurong Bird Park. (Photo: Wildlife Reserves Singapore)

Jurong Bird Park is home to all eight species of pelican, namely the American white, great white, brown, pink-backed, Peruvian, Australian, Dalmatian and spot-billed pelicans.