KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – A furious fisherman was seen throwing a rock at a great white heron.
The rare bird was left feathered, fractured and a little scared to say the least, but now the big guy is well on his road to recovery.
The kind people at Pelican Harbor Seabird Station got the call and got to work after witnesses watched it all unfold.
“Everyone once in a while we get these cases that are actual, legitimate cruelty toward animals,” said Amanda Burke with Pelican Harbor.
A fisherman at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne was upset the bird was after his fish, so he reportedly grabbed a large rock and chucked it at the bird, taking him out.
“They called us to see what we could do to help him,” said Burke. “He was further down, crouched down in the grasses, he was trying to hide and his right wing was dropping significantly. Once we picked him up we saw he was bleeding all underneath his wing too.”
X-rays revealed two different fractures.
Doctors performed a surgery and put in pins before starting rehab right away.
But now law enforcement is stepping in as our feathered friend is federally protected.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking the public for tips on this animal cruelty case.
Burke said the bird will be there for a while, with their focus, like all animals they treat, on getting him eating, independent and back home where he belongs.
“Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers are aware of an incident of animal cruelty involving a Great White Heron that occurred at Bill Baggs State Park in Miami-Dade County on January 20, 2025. This incident is currently under investigation. The FWC asks anyone who witnessed this incident or anyone with information to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922)”
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission