Blackpool Zoo has launched a desperate search for a young pelican that escaped after being scared by a flock of seagulls.

The animal, which is just 14-weeks-old, went missing on Friday (August 4) at around 2pm after a flock of seagulls startled it.

It flew onto the roof of the zoo’s flamingo house and was then caught by a gust of wind.

The pelican has only just grown its adult feathers and not had its wings clipped yet.

Zoo keepers lost sight of the animal at around 4pm, when it was heading in the direction of the South Shore area of the resort.

The zoo said it is the first time an incident like this has happened and said it is linked to its “ever-growing problem with seagulls”.

Last year the zoo put up an advert for a seagull deterrent after gulls “were proving to be a bit of a nuisance” with some attempting to steal food from visitors and even in the enclosures where animals live.

Anyone with information about the missing pelican has been asked to get in touch.

A spokesperson for Blackpool Zoo said: “We can confirm that a young pelican was scared by a flock of seagulls at around 2pm on Friday, August 4, causing it to try to fly onto the roof of our flamingo house and it was taken on a gust of wind. 

“At 14-weeks-old, it had only just grown its adult feathers, so it had not had its wings clipped yet.

 “Keepers followed it out of the zoo and lost sight of it at 4pm, when it was headed in the direction of the South Shore area of the resort. It has been seen in the area since and keepers are following up all sightings.

 “Searches are continuing from dawn to dusk every day and we remain hopeful that it will be found.

 “Pelicans are beautiful, docile creatures and there is no threat to the public. We would ask that people do not approach the bird if they see it as it they may scare it.  

 “Blackpool Zoo has housed this magnificent species for many years and we are the only collection in the UK to have successfully bred them, which makes the youngster very special.

 “This is the first time we have had an incident like this, which was down to the ever-growing problems we, and the town, continue to have with seagulls.

"It is 4ft tall, with brown feathers and we would ask that any recent sightings are reported to our duty manager on 07799 226908".