Three Dalmatian pelicans have arrived at WWT Arundel Wetland Centre as the West Sussex attraction welcomes new additions to its Pelican Cove exhibit.
The newcomers, Jean, Wanda and Ghost, have joined the existing flock, taking the total number of Dalmatian pelicans at the centre to seven.
The trio originally travelled to the UK from a zoo in Berlin in February 2025. After quarantine, they spent six months settling in at WWT Slimbridge Conservation Breeding Unit before arriving at WWT Arundel on 22 April 2026.
Dalmatian pelicans are famously difficult to sex, as males and females share the same snowy-white feathers. Jean and Wanda are believed to be female, while Ghost’s sex has yet to be confirmed.
Keeper Molly Foote-Wyman said: “We’re currently waiting for feather sexing results for Ghost – they may or may not be male.”
The birds spent their first week in the Pelican Barn, getting used to the sights and sounds of their new surroundings and their new flock mates Rogue, Storm, Logan and Odin.
At WWT Arundel, pelicans are traditionally named after Marvel superheroes.
Dalmatian pelicans are the largest and rarest pelican species, with a wingspan of up to 10 feet. Visitors can watch them in Pelican Cove, which includes a large pond and island perches where the birds can preen, sunbathe and socialise.
Their enormous throat pouches can hold the equivalent of three buckets of water, helping them scoop up prey while fishing.
Behind the scenes, the Pelican Barn gives keepers space for health checks, weighing and quiet time away from visitors.
Daily keeper talks take place at Pelican Cove at 2pm, giving visitors the chance to learn more about the birds.
Marc Boardman, Head of Living Collection at WWT, said: “Our ambition is to grow the Pelican Cove flock to around ten birds, which would be the largest resident group of Dalmatian pelicans in the UK.
“A bigger flock is more natural and, as the birds mature, may even lead to breeding activity in the future.”
WWT says visitors can now see the new arrivals settling into their home at Arundel.
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