Man Accused of Fatally Shooting Protected Birds in Pinellas County, FWC Says
Pinellas County, FL — A man is facing serious charges after authorities say he fatally shot a great blue heron and a mallard duck in Pinellas County, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
FWC officers say they responded to reports of gunshots in a residential area earlier this week and found the remains of both birds near a retention pond. Witnesses reported seeing a man shooting at wildlife with a pellet gun.
The great blue heron is a protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and harming or killing them is a federal offense. Mallard ducks are also protected under state and federal laws.
According to the FWC, the suspect admitted to shooting the birds and claimed he did not know the heron was protected. Officers confiscated the weapon and charged the man with two counts of taking migratory birds without a permit, among other potential violations.
“These birds are part of Florida’s delicate ecosystem and are protected for a reason,” an FWC spokesperson said. “It’s not only illegal to harm them—it’s harmful to the environment as a whole.”
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed. FWC officials are reminding the public to report any suspicious activity involving wildlife to the agency’s Wildlife Alert Hotline.
