AUTHORITIES are hunting two men who senselessly stomped a pelican to death last week in Melbourne’s northwest.

Two men were witnessed ‘kicking and stomping’ a pelican in Gladstone Street, near Buchanan Streein St Albans, at approximately 12.30pm on last Tuesday.

media_camera A Pelican, like this one, was stomped to death in St Albans last week. Photo by Richard Gosling

The bird was so savagely beaten wildlife rescuers believed it was dead.

Rescuer Naomi Carr said they rushed the animal to a local veterinarian but its injuries were too great for it to recover from.

“Sadly, the injuries the pelican suffered — including multiple breaks to its wings and rib — were too major for it to recover, and it had to be humanely euthanised,” Ms Carr said.

Environment department wildlife officer Suriya Vij said the bird’s killing was a senseless act of violence and asked witnesses to come forward.

“This is unacceptable and we want to find the people who did this.

“Cruelty against defenceless animals is disturbing behaviour that we know can escalate to other violence.”

If you know more information contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.