FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. -  Two brown pelicans were returned to the wild after several weeks of rehab at CROW,  the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife.

"One of these pelicans had 4 hooks in its body," said CROW volunteer, Ron Frazer.

Stretching their wings and adjusting to freedom, the birds inched their way back into their natural habitat.

One of the birds, found off the Sanibel Fishing Pier, was suffering with a swollen foot. The other, discovered off Fort Myers Beach, was treated for an injured wing.

"Pelicans are probably the largest number of patients during a 12-month period, they're subject to the fisherman and the hooks," said Frazer, "It is very sad, it's typical."

Frazer is just one of over 200 volunteers with the clinic.

"If you hook a pelican and you don't know how to release it, you can call CROW," he said.
  
Both of the birds were taken to CROW after people noticed them acting lethargic.  They were treated with pain medicine, and antibiotics.
 
"Usually people will call because they'll notice a pelican hanging around, or acting ill and they'll notice a hook or notice they're injured," Frazer said.

CROW volunteer, Jan McMullen, has witnessed the release of many animals, but says each case is special.

"It just gives my heart wings to see them take off and go back to nature," said McMullen.