SOUTH PASADENA, Fla. — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says it is investigating after receiving reports of Great Egrets being covered in paint in St. Pete on Friday.
Birds in Helping Hands, a nonprofit wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization which serves Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties, posted about the incident over the weekend.
The organization said it was alerted by Pinellas County about Great Egrets having red, blue, and yellow colors, which appeared to be painted on them. The person who reported it to the county thought it could be someone with a paintball gun.
The group also asked people to share the photo and for anyone with information on the incident with the egrets to call FWC immediately at (813) 558-5050.
Egrets, herons and other wading birds are protected by the state and federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Reddish egrets, tricolored heron, little blue heron, roseate spoonbills, snow egret, and the white ibis are all considered threatened species for Florida. These species are covered under the wading bird Species Management Plan.
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