Three large PELICANS are taken on 17-hour road trip from Prague to their new home in London

Pelicans crossing! Three large water birds from Prague have a new home in London park after zookeepers drove them 17-hours across Europe from Czech Republic

  • Three pelicans from Prague are being driven 17 hours to join a colony in London
  • St James’s Park flock of pelicans has been established since the 17th century
  • This is the third time Prague Zoo has sent pelicans to St James’s

It might not be what they had in mind when they thought of migrating for the summer.

But three great white pelicans are making their way to their new home in London – in the back of a van from Prague.

The birds, called Sun, Moon and Star, are being driven 17 hours from a zoo in the Czech Republic to join a flock of pelicans in St James’s Park, where a colony has been established since the 17th century.

Three great white pelicans are making their way to their new home in London’s St James’s Park – in the back of a van from Prague

The birds, called Sun, Moon and Star, are being driven 17 hours to reach the city. (Pictured) Two Pelicans standing in St James's Park - there has been a colony there since the 1600s

The birds, called Sun, Moon and Star, are being driven 17 hours to reach the city. (Pictured) Two Pelicans standing in St James’s Park – there has been a colony there since the 1600s

Their new home comes with stunning views of Buckingham Palace (Pictured)

Their new home comes with stunning views of Buckingham Palace (Pictured)

Keepers loaded the pelicans, which have the second largest wingspan of all birds, into transport cages yesterday morning. 

It is the third time Prague Zoo has sent pelicans to St James’s, with Tiffany and Isla the last newcomers in 2013.

They followed male pelican Vaclav, who was gifted to the park in 1995. With two new males, Sun and Moon, and female Star, the flock now stands at six.

The birds were first introduced to St James’s in 1664 as a gift to King Charles II. Since then, 40 pelicans have made the park their home.

Keepers prepare to load the birds into a van. It is the third time they have taken this species of bird, which has the second largest wingspan, to London

Keepers prepare to load the birds into a van. It is the third time they have taken this species of bird, which has the second largest wingspan, to London

Pelican loaded up in the van and ready to go. The latest pelicans to make the journey were Tiffany and Isla in 2013

Pelican loaded up in the van and ready to go. The latest pelicans to make the journey were Tiffany and Isla in 2013

Pelicans were first introduced to St James’s in 1664 as a gift to King Charles II. Since then, 40 pelicans have made the park their home.

Pelicans were first introduced to St James’s in 1664 as a gift to King Charles II. Since then, 40 pelicans have made the park their home.

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