A zookeeper saved a pigeon from a pelican's mouth when the seabird caught the avian in the open enclosure at the Green Rabbit Animal and Plant Theme Park in Shanxi, China.

Footage shows the alert caretaker chasing after the bird and prising open the attacker's giant beak.

Staff said that they were accustomed to rescuing birds swallowed by the greedy pelican, which has developed a reputation for eating its feathered companions.

They added that the pelican had been put in quarantine as punishment but had not learned from its mistakes and continued to attempt to eat other birds.

The same bird swallowed a dove last month on August 27.

Eyewitness Li, who was one of those who raised the alarm, said he and others had instantly shouted for a keeper, who was quickly on the scene to save the dove, which appeared unharmed after its brush with death.