JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Wildlife officials said they believe someone is intentionally hurting pelicans along the coast. They've seen injured birds in Jacksonville Beach and as far south as St. Augustine.
Ohad Paris is one of many volunteers with BEAKS Sanctuary. He said he's devastated to learn someone may be hurting pelicans on purpose. So far, he said he knows of at least a dozen.
"It's something in the teens -- 15, 16 -- so somebody is doing this," Paris said. "We really don't know who, or why, or where. It just feels like you're looking at an injured child."
Paris said BEAKS, or the Bird Emergency Aid and Kare Sanctuary, has gotten calls from people in both Jacksonville Beach and all along the coast, going as far down as St. Augustine.
All of the wounds are exactly the same -- a severely shattered wing, hanging by a sliver of skin.
"The bird was walking with one normal wing and one, something -- the other wing basically hanging off them," Paris said.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is now involved. According to BEAKS officials, pelicans are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which means you could face a fine or even jail time if you're caught hurting them.
"People, just normal people that live at Jax Beach, or anywhere by the beach, keep your eyes open to see, maybe they can give us some clue as to what's going on," Paris said.