Hank

A short documentary directed, written, and produced by Kari Paul

More than a decade ago, scientists relocated a white pelican named Hank from her home in Oregon to Oakland’s Lake Merritt for rehabilitation. Disabled by an accident as a young bird, she is unable to fish for herself or fly, and previously relied exclusively on city employees for food and care. When the city of Oakland abruptly stopped feeding her in 2018, two friends of Hank stepped in to keep her alive, hauling her bags of fish to hand feed her each evening.

This short documentary follows Steve, a former employee of Oakland who fed Hank for years and refused to leave her side when she was abandoned by the city. It also highlights an uncertain future for the 20-year-old bird, and the quest to find her a "retirement home" in a more protected location to live out her golden years.