A mischievous pelican caused quite a stir when it escaped from a Belgian zoo and ended up wreaking havoc on a Dutch golf course. Golfers, already notoriously known for their quick tempers, were not pleased when they found the bird loudly honking and making a general nuisance of itself on the otherwise peaceful course.
According to eyewitnesses, the pelican was first spotted on the fairway, using its massive wings to scare away any unsuspecting golf balls. Despite its best efforts, however, it quickly became apparent that the bird had no intention of leaving any time soon. Frustrated golfers tried to shoo the bird away with their clubs, but alas, the pelican refused to budge.
In a desperate attempt to regain control of the situation, the golf course management team called in a team of experts to capture the rogue pelican. With nets, tranquilizers, and a whole lot of patience, the team managed to corner the bird on the 18th green and make the capture.
After a quick check-up by the vet, the pelican was found to be in good health (thankfully!) and will soon be returned to its rightful home at the zoo. The golf course, meanwhile, will breathe a collective sigh of relief and return to its regularly scheduled fairway maintenance activities.
As news of the pelican’s escape spread like wildfire, many locals took to social media to express their excitement at the prospect of a real-life version of Angry Birds taking place on the golf course. “Finally, a game that I can actually play!” quipped one Twitter user. “I always knew golf needed more wildlife,” added another.
Despite the light-hearted reactions from some, many golfers were left on edge after the pelican’s appearance on the course. “I’ve spent years perfecting my swing, only to have it interrupted by a bird of all things,” complained one frustrated golfer.
This isn’t the first time that animals have caused chaos on Dutch golf courses. In recent years, rogue goats, wild boars, and even seals have somehow managed to find their way onto the greens. Golf course owners are now investing in stronger fencing, increased surveillance, and a team of expert animal catchers to try and keep their courses animal-free.
What’s next for the pelican now that it’s back in captivity remains to be seen. Will it be content to stay put, or will it hatch a new escape plan? All we know for sure is that, for one brief moment, the central focus on a Dutch golf course was not on the clubs, the balls, or the players, but rather on a bird with an attitude. And really, isn’t that what golf is all about?
