Rescued pelican enjoys growing fame at Albanian wetlands park

Dalmatian Pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) are pictured in the Divjake-Karavasta National Park's lagoon in Divjaka, Albania May 21, 2018. Picture taken May 21, 2018. REUTERS/Florion Goga

DIVJAKE-KARAVASTA, Albania (Reuters) - Birdwatchers from around the world come to Albania's Divjake-Karavasta park for its wetlands and rich array of wildlife. But one inhabitant in particular is attracting spectators: John Malko, the park's pet pelican.

Park rangers nursed him back to health after he was found with an injured wing two years ago, but he never regained his ability to fly, leaving him unable to hunt. They called him John, and gave him the surname Malko after the ranger who looked after him the most.

John Malko, a Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) eats a fish in the visitor's centre of the Divjake-Karavasta National Park in Divjaka, Albania May 21, 2018. Picture taken May 21, 2018. REUTERS/Florion Goga

A Dalmatian pelican, one of the heaviest flying bird species whose wingspan can reach up to around 3.5 meters (11.48 ft), John is believed to have been nesting on the salt water lagoon at Karavasta before he hurt his wing.

"We started taking care of him as...our own pet, but he soon turned into the symbol of the park and an attraction for visitors and tourists," park director Ardian Koci said. "Fishermen bring him fresh fish everyday."

John now lives near the park's main office, away from the other Dalmatian pelicans, known for their mop of curly feathers on their head. He has his own small pond, where he bathes and struts around.

John Malko, a Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) walks in front of the visitor's centre of the Divjake-Karavasta National Park in Divjaka, Albania May 21, 2018. Picture taken May 21, 2018. REUTERS/Florion Goga

At night he sleeps near the park dog's kennel, which rangers believe he does for safety from preying animals.

"I really enjoyed seeing him from up close because I cannot see the other pelicans in the lagoon, they are very far away,” said 10-year old Eliza Shkoza on a visit to the park.

Around 120 Dalmatian pelicans live in the Divjake-Karavasta lagoon, according to the Albanian Ornithological Society. The species is listed as "near threatened" species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Dalmatian Pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) are pictured in the Divjake-Karavasta National Park's lagoon in Divjaka, Albania May 21, 2018. Picture taken May 21, 2018. REUTERS/Florion Goga

(Reporting By Benet Koleka; Editing by Marie-Louise Gumuchian and Raissa Kasolowsky)

John Malko, a Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) is pictured in the visitor's centre of the Divjake-Karavasta National Park in Divjaka, Albania May 21, 2018. Picture taken May 21, 2018. REUTERS/Florion Goga

Dalmatian Pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) are pictured in the Divjake-Karavasta National Park's lagoon in Divjaka, Albania May 21, 2018. Picture taken May 21, 2018. REUTERS/Florion Goga

John Malko, a Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) plays with dogs in the visitor's centre of the Divjake-Karavasta National Park in Divjaka, Albania May 21, 2018. Picture taken May 21, 2018. REUTERS/Florion Goga

Dalmatian Pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) are pictured in the Divjake-Karavasta National Park's lagoon in Divjaka, Albania May 21, 2018. Picture taken May 21, 2018. REUTERS/Florion Goga

Tourists react to John Malko, a Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) in the visitor's centre of the Divjake-Karavasta National Park in Divjaka, Albania May 21, 2018. Picture taken May 21, 2018. REUTERS/Florion Goga

A tourist takes a picture of John Malko, a Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) in the visitor's centre of the Divjake-Karavasta National Park in Divjaka, Albania May 21, 2018. Picture taken May 21, 2018. REUTERS/Florion Goga