The Metropolis

The Pelican Grief: St James's Park mourns an untimely death

Mike Pollitt | Friday 5 August, 2011 11:17

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Pelican refused admission to London restaurant

Rusalka, the St James’s Park Pelican known for sitting on benches and generally being friendly, has died after failing to recover from an operation on her foot.

She came to the park from Prague Zoo in 1995, with her long time partner Vaclav. The two could frequently be seen socialising with tourists, threatening toddlers, eating pigeons, and generally being cool.

A spokesman for the Royal Parks said staff were “deeply saddened” by her passing. As she takes the Pelican crossing to the other side, let us take a moment to remember her. For she never let her adopted city down.

The remaining Pelicans, despite their grief, appeared in good health last night. Although they were on a rock very far away so it was quite hard to see. Our thoughts are with them.

Photo, believed to be of Rusalka, from shakespearesmonkey on Flickr

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