Pelican Time given a new lease on life

A beloved Central Coast attraction has been secured for at least the next two years, with Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast getting a contract extension for Pelican Time at The Entrance under a new agreement with Central Coast Council.

The deal includes the option of a third year.

Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast founder Cathy Gilmore says the new agreement is great news for the organisation’s volunteers and the birds.

“A lot of the birds will show up at Pelican Time because they know about it,” Gilmore said.

“It’s like they know when they’re injured and need help along with an easy feed.”

Pelican feeding has been a fixture at The Entrance for decades, attracting both locals and visitors to watch the daily gathering of the large seabirds.

It began unintentionally when pelicans would flock to a local fish shop for discarded scraps.

Over time, the feeding became formalised, with the construction of a dedicated pelican platform in the 1990s.

However, the feeding stopped during the pandemic and it faced the possibility of not returning.

A review by Central Coast Council concluded that traditional feeding practices were not in the best interests of the birds and did not align with the region’s certification as a sustainable, nature-based tourism destination.

Concerns were raised about overfeeding and the risk of exploiting the animals for entertainment purposes.

In response, the program underwent a complete overhaul with the focus shifted from “putting on a show” to delivering an educational experience, highlighting the dangers marine wildlife face from fishing hooks, discarded lines and pollution.

Feeding is now limited to small amounts of fish, enough to attract the pelicans so volunteers can assess their condition and provide treatment where necessary.

“The injured birds are our first priority along with educating the public,” Gilmore said.

“If we can treat the bird on the spot and remove the hook – we’re able to release the bird in front of the crowd.

“Eight times out of 10 we’re able to do this; otherwise we have to send them away to the vet.”

The new approach has proven a success, with annual attendance now at around 38,000 people – double the figure from just 12 months ago.

The event has become a major tourism drawcard, attracting visitors from Sydney, across Australia, and internationally.

“It’s great to be able to educate locals and tourists about these birds and other wildlife,” Gilmore said.

“We’ve had people travel from around the world to come and see our pelicans at The Entrance.”

The Central Coast’s extensive waterways mean pelicans are frequent victims of fishing-related injuries.

The event now serves as a vital rescue point, with dozens of successful interventions reported in the past year.

“It’s great to see people come and learn something new and walk away with a new appreciation for these birds,” Gilmore said.

Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast is calling for more volunteers to help run the program, particularly those with mid-week availability to so it can launch one session during the week.

The organisation says the ongoing success of Pelican Time relies on the dedication of its team and the support of the community.

“If you see an injured pelican or marine animal please contact us on 0478 439 965,” Gilmore said.