Enlarge image
1/8
The zoological garden in Liberec is the oldest of its kind in the Czech Republic.
Every year in late autumn, the zoo pond is the scene of a very special spectacle: the procession of the - somewhat stubborn - great white pelicans.
Here a zoo keeper tries to catch one of the giant birds in a kayak.
Photo: Petr David Josek / AP
Enlarge image
2/8
Great white pelicans can reach a wingspan of up to 3.60 meters.
They actually live in warmer climes, for example in Africa, but also in the delta of the Danube.
For the winter, Europe's great white pelicans actually move south.
Photo: Petr David Josek / AP
Enlarge image
3/8
In Liberec, the zoo employees organize the move to warmer regions: They catch the big birds.
Photo: Petr David Josek / AP
Enlarge image
4/8
However, as you can see in the picture, this often turns out to be a time-consuming and personnel-intensive undertaking.
Photo: Petr David Josek / AP
Enlarge image
5/8
To prevent the animals from injuring themselves, no nets or nets are used to catch them.
Photo: Petr David Josek / AP
Enlarge image
6/8
“Got you!” With their combined efforts, employees of the Czech zoo caught one of the large birds.
Photo: Petr David Josek / AP
Enlarge image
7/8
The pelicans of Liberec can fly.
However, they were all born and raised in captivity.
Photo: Petr David Josek / AP
Enlarge image
8/8
Finding winter quarters even in the south is therefore not an option for the animals.
Photo: Petr David Josek / AP
tremor
