Ralph the Pelican's return ride, Nova Scotia to North Carolina
March 2nd, 2011
![]()
Halifax, Nova Scotia (March 2, 2011) - Ralph, the brown pelican that was blown off course from his Florida home during an autumn hurricane and has been holed up for the winter at the Hope for Wildlife Society in Seaforth, Nova Scotia, is going home.
Halifax businessman, Garry Sowerby, 4-time world record holder for long-distance driving, has offered Ralph a lift to Newport, North Carolina. Sowerby and Hope Swinimer, founder of Hope for Wildlife Society, are driving Ralph to the Outer Banks Wildlife Center in Newport, North Carolina in a Chevrolet Express Flex-Fuel cargo van that is capable of running on E-85 ethanol fuel.
Departing from Seaforth, NS at noon on Sunday 6 March, the drive is approximately 2,500 km (1,500 miles), will roughly follow Highway I-95 South, and will take about three days, arriving in Newport, NC at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday 9 March.
Schedule:
Sunday 6 March
- 12:00 p.m.: Depart Seaforth, Nova Scotia Hope for Wildlife Society, 5909 Highway 207, Seaforth (Old Cole Harbour Road)
- 1:00 p.m.: Stop at Citadel Hill, Halifax to give Ralph one last glimpse of Halifax
- 5:00 p.m.: Arrive Fredericton (Overnight)
Monday 7 March
- 5:00 a.m.: Depart Fredericton
- 7:00 a.m.: Arrive Houlton, Maine, Clear Customs and Immigration, Clear Ralph with Wildlife Services (export and import)
- 8:00 a.m.: Depart Houlton, Maine
- 7:00 p.m.: Arrive New York City (Overnight)
Tuesday 8 March
- 9:30 a.m.: Depart New York City
- 6:00 p.m.: Arrive Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Wednesday 9 March
- 7:30 a.m.: Depart Rocky Mount, North Carolina
- 10:00 a.m.: Arrive Outer Banks Wildlife Center, 100 Wildlife Way, Newport, NC
Ralph the Pelican in the News:
- Ralph Ready to Roll
- CTV News: Storm-tossed pelican offered a ride home to the U.S.
- Globe and Mail: Wayward pelican found at N.S. strip club to hitch a ride back to U.S.
- CBC News: Hurricane-blown pelican to ride van south
Media Inquiries:
- Lisa Calvi: 902-449-2272, odyssey@eastlink.ca, @FrontLady
On the Road:
- Garry Sowerby: 902-452-3177, odyssey@eastlink.ca, @DrivenMind99
- Hope Swinimer: 902-489-4673, hopeswinimer@gmail.com, @HopeforWildlife
Older News
- Lisa-and-Garry-Go-Round | April 26th, 2012
- Labrador City in a Western Star Dump Truck | March 16th, 2012
- Nova Scotia BIG STUFF: A 6-pack | March 13th, 2012
- Bucket List on Wheels - Lisa-and-Garry-Go-Round | February 21st, 2012
- His-and-Her Car Envy | February 10th, 2012
- Archives
