Over the last few weeks, the naturalists at Coastal Expedtions have released 9 young Eastern brown pelicans for the @centerforbirdsofprey that they had successfully rehabilitated. This pair was released by Coastal Expeditions in Charleston Harbor adjacent to Crab Bank. South Carolina state representative @spencerwetmore was onboard to assist with the release, a thank you for her leadership on making the Pelican our official state seabird. We hope that this designation brings awareness to the need for nesting islands along our coast! This pair took their time on the bow of the boat, feeling the wind under their wings and getting their sea legs back. After taking flight, they reunited in the water and then walked along the shoreline of Crab Bank— it was quite a moment! Imagine how excited and relieved this pair must have been to return to the ocean. @scdnr hopes that in 2025, pelicans will return to Crab Bank as their nesting island now that there is larger protective vegetation on the island, joining the black skimmers, American oystercatchers, terns and other seabirds that nest on this seabird sanctuary. Video: @taytsnatureshow Special thanks to @centerforbirdsofprey for doing the hard work and @spencerwetmore for championing the cause.