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When you're handling a pelican, rule number one: grab the bill first. That keeps you safe from a snap while still letting the bird breathe. This is one of the first things Volusia County Animal Control officers learned at their recent training at the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet.
Protective Gear: A Must
If you're working with loons or gannets, don’t even think about going in without leather gloves. These birds don’t mess around—they’ll lunge and stab with their bills.
Officer Justin Fitzgerald had a hands-on moment with an egret, using a towel as a buffer. Handy tip: a soft towel can help calm the bird and keep everyone safe during transport.
A Training Week to Remember
Animal control officers, along with a couple of lifeguards, took part in this training during Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week (April 13–19). The Marine Science Center isn’t just a rehab spot for birds; they help turtles, tortoises, and snakes too, aiming to get them back into the wild.
They handle about 1,100 birds a year, which is a lot of beaks to care for.
Watch Out for the Gulls
Kristen Mitchell, Assistant Manager at the bird hospital, pointed out that gulls might seem easy to manage—but don’t underestimate them.
Herring gulls will bite hard and twist (no skin breaking, usually, but not pleasant). Then there are the laughing gulls—picture the chihuahua of seabirds. Bitey and bold.
Practice Makes Perfect
Officers got to try out techniques with real birds. From sandhill cranes wrapped in sheets to songbirds like the Chuck-will’s-widow being crated, they got a feel for real-time rescue work.
When Animal Control Steps In
Typically, Volusia’s animal control handles domestic calls, but they’ll step in for wild critters if FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife) can’t respond or needs backup. Field Supervisor Jennifer Meister emphasized how important this bird-focused, hands-on training is.
Every species is different—and the approach needs to match. Whether it's a turtle, crane, or gull, knowing the right handling technique helps both the officer and the animal.
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