Troopers rescue injured pelican from Skyway Bridge

(FOX 13) - Florida Highway Patrol troopers rescued an injured pelican from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Friday. 

According to troopers, they found the pelican at the foot of the Skyway Bridge showing signs of distress.  It turned out that the pelican was caught in fishing line and had fishing hooks impaled in its legs.

Troopers say the injured bird was trying to cross the interstate and posed a danger to itself and motorists. That's when Corporal Timothy Sleyzak and Trooper Raymond Ada called in Fish and Wildlife Lieutenant Evan Ladkowski to help rescue the bird. 

Lucky for the pelican, later nicknamed Sunshine, these law enforcement officials were able to get him off the road and out of harm's way. Sunshine was then transferred to Owl's Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife where he is expected to make a full recovery.