Vandals plow into Little Estero Critical Wildlife Area/ kill shorebird and crush eggs
According to officials at Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, sometime between midnight and sunrise during the morning of May 14, Little Estero Critical Wildlife Area at the south end of Fort Myers Beach was vandalized when a truck plowed through the shorebird nesting area, killed a ‘threatened’ least tern and crushed several eggs.
The vehicle came in around the Holiday Inn chained beach entrance and exited through Castle Beach. An adult least tern was crushed and several nests were destroyed.
“Killing a state threatened species is punishable as a third degree state felony which is up to 5 years and/or $5,000,” said FWC’s Gary Morris. “We have an investigator assigned to the case, and we are looking for information leading to the connection of the individual or individuals responsible.”
Anyone who has information to the crime can call the Florida FWC wildlife alert hotline at 888-404-3922 and may be eligible for an award.