These are the shocking images of a dead pelican which was electrocuted before being beaten and tied by its neck to a road sign in a cruel stunt.
The disturbing incident took place near the town of Radnevo in southern Bulgaria, where the great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) was found.
In the images, the huge bird can be seen propped up against a road sign with a rope tied around its neck.
The pelican’s signature beak is half open and it has been tied to the road sign with the rope from a sack.
The bird was removed from the road sign by Elena Cvetanova and Georgi Dulev and then given an autopsy by the Wild Animal Rescue Centre.
The autopsy confirmed the pelican had received an electric shock from a power line before it became the victim of aggression.
The vets said there was a possibility the pelican was initially found alive by those responsible for causing its further injuries and tying it to the road sign.
Hristina Klisurova from the Wild Animal Rescue Centre said: “The probable cause of death, or at least probable cause for the bird falling, is due to the electric shock as there were entry and exit wounds, burns from electricity.”
It is not clear whether an investigation has been opened.
Local media report the great white pelican is rare in Bulgaria.
Netizen ‘Anonimen’ commented: “How monstrous could you be to place a dead pelican on a road sign.”
And ‘Velicka Dimitrova’ added: “Idiots, such a beautiful bird.”
While ‘Ralitsa Ivanova’ wrote: “This is horrible.”
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Story By: Angjela Trajkovska, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
