does anyone else think the only pelican in the pelican enclosure at coombe martin wildlife park looks a bit lonley.The enclosure situated in the wallaby and mara walkthrough is a bit small and only holding one pelican is a bad thing beacause pelicans live in big groups
The pelican might be isolated because it doesn't get along with other pelicans. It is impossible to say if it is lonely or not.
Colonial waterbirds surely prefer company of their own kind (or of at least closely related species). To keep one bird alone for a long time needs a really good reason (maybe there is one you don´t know?) Try to ask the park for explanation.
Oscar our great white pelican is believed to be over 27 years old (if I am mistaken, 27 is a cracking age for a pelican) and has been here since the park opened. Unfortunately his partner Penelope died around three years ago and due to his age we haven't introduced a new partner to him. I know it's difficult to not place human emotions on to animals, but I can assure you, Oscar has the best care possible and is doing very well.
Pelican is lonely I believe the oldest recorded pelican was a lot older than this, cranes and swans have certainly bred at greater ages. It would be well worth getting this bird a new partner (or better still trying to get together a small group); he could live another 27 years.
I just had a quick search out of interest's sake. The oldest I found was an American white pelican at 54 years old, and the oldest European white pelican 51 years old.
