SIESTA KEY BEACH (WSNN) – Beachgoers are vandalizing the home of a protected bird species on Siesta Key.
These cute shorebirds suffering from this…
“More than two-thirds of the enclosure had been taken down,” said Kylie Wilson with the Audubon Society of Sarasota County. “The stakes that make up the enclosure have been thrown around. I smelled urine and it’s just really gross.”
That’s how Kylie Wilson with Audubon Florida found the nesting area of the Snowy Plovers, on Siesta Key Beach vandalized, last week.
“It’s terrible to hear that people are hurting endangered animals,” said Kevin Lovell, a Siesta Key Beach visitor.
“It’s unnecessary and beautiful of a place to have that happen,” adds Terry Fox, another visitor.
And it’s not the first time this has happened. Wilson says it usually happens around spring break.
“I think it’s just a matter of a lot of people out on the beach, potentially out at night, coming into these nesting areas and not realizing what they’re for,” Wilson said. “And if there’s drinking involved, people are acting crazy.”
These posted areas are to protect the pre-nesting enclosures of this state-threatened species. The small white birds nest right on top of the sand, but if there are human disturbances, Wilson says they have to start over.
“It can get to the point where if the female never finds a safe place to lay her eggs, she’ll just have to pop them out somewhere… because she can actually die, if she keeps the eggs inside her for too long.”
“People should have more respect for nature and the environment,” said Lovell said.
“Unfortunately we haven’t had a chick hatch in this beach in the last two years,” Wilson said.
She says our region only gets about 13 percent of the population, which is about 12 to 14 birds in Sarasota County.
“Anything we can to share the beach; there’s enough beach for us and the birds,” Wilson said.
If you see any vandalism, you can report it to Florida Fish and Wildlife at 888 404 3922.
If you are caught vandalizing, there is a fine of $5,000.