Wildlife experts are trying to find the person responsible for shooting a sand hill crane with a nail gun.
- Sand hill crane shot with nail gun
- Taken to Save Our Seabirds but did not survive
- Florida Fish and Wildlife investigating
It happened in the area near the Gates Creek neighborhood in East Bradenton.
Justin Matthews, with Matthews Wildlife Rescue, said he was called out to check on the injured bird earlier this week.
When he arrived, he was able to find the young male bird and catch him. He took the injured bird to Save Our Seabirds for medical care.
During the exam, it was discovered the bird had been shot in the neck with a nail gun.
(Photo: Justin Matthews, with Matthews Wildlife Rescue)
“There’s no way this is was an accident,” said Matthews. “You have to pull on the end of a nail gun in order for it to fire and then you just pull the trigger.”
The sand hill crane did not survive.
Matthews said the Florida Fish and Wildlife is now investigating the incident.
He said sand hill cranes are protected and if caught, whoever did this, could face a fine of $5,000 or up to a year in jail.
A $500 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in this case.