Great white pelicans are found in swamps, shallow lakes, and wetlands across southeastern Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa.

The great white pelican consumes around 1.5 kg of fish daily, using its large, pouched bill (which can hold up to 13 litres of water) to scoop up fish. Their diet also occasionally includes crustaceans and ducklings. Pelicans spend much of their time in the water, often nesting on small islands or in reed beds near freshwater lakes to provide protection for their young.
These birds breed in large colonies of up to 50,000 pairs. Typically, their nests contain two eggs, which are incubated by both parents for 29 to 36 days. The chicks hatch helpless and bald and are fed a special liquid regurgitated by the parents. The chicks become capable of flying at about 10 weeks but generally don't breed until they reach three to four years of age.

The great white pelican is classified as of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, although some populations face threats from overfishing, hunting, and habitat degradation due to pollution.

The great white pelican is an exceptional long-distance flier, capable of flying for up to 24 hours without stopping, covering distances of up to 480 km. Remarkably light for its size, the pelican has air pockets in its bones and under its skin, which help it stay buoyant and enable it to cover such long distances with minimal energy expenditure.

Great white pelicans have been a part of Fota Wildlife Park since its early days. The species is free roaming within the park and fishes in the natural saltwater lakes, especially during the summer, to supplement its diet.