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Hillsdale man arrested for killing protected birds
By Hallie Goodman
FLORIDA — Joseph W. Gursky, 22, of Hillsdale was one of seven people arrested by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers Tuesday for allegedly shooting and killing protected birds at a lake in Collier County, Fla. Officers said the group had no intention of taking the birds and were only killing them for fun.
Gursky, along with Zachary J. Mato, 22, and Cullen M. Shaughnessy, 22, both of Marco Island, Fla., were charged with felony trespass with a firearm and taken to Collier County Jail.
FWC Officer Dan Stermen was on a routine patrol when he heard gunfire coming from the direction of an island bird rookery. As the officer got closer, he saw birds flying erratically and some falling from the sky. Stermen called for backup and waited near a group of cars parked on a peninsula leading to the lake. The property is owned by the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and is allegedly posted with “No Trespassing” signs.
When the three suspects attempted to return to their cars by boat hours later, they were promptly arrested. Officers say there were firearms in the boat.
Four others, who remained on an island in the lake, were ferried back to land by authorities. Keith G. Lisa, 31, of North Bergen, N.J., Alexander B. Wilhelm, 24, of Annapolis, Md., Mark L. McClure, 23, of Osprey, Fla. and Stephanie M. Meads, 32, of Naples were also arrested and charged with misdemeanor trespassing.
Among the 21 dead birds collected by officers at the scene were a number of White Ibis and Blue Heron which are classified as “species of special concern” and are protected under Florida state law, according to the FWC.
In addition, Tree Swallows and cormorants, which are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, were also shot to death.
“In my 27 years as an officer I’ve never seen people deliberately shoot and kill birds and just leave them for dead,” said FWC Lt. Wayne Maahs. “This is truly a heinous act.”
Additional charges are pending.
To reach reporter Hallie Goodman, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail hgoodman@registerstar.com.
Gursky, along with Zachary J. Mato, 22, and Cullen M. Shaughnessy, 22, both of Marco Island, Fla., were charged with felony trespass with a firearm and taken to Collier County Jail.
FWC Officer Dan Stermen was on a routine patrol when he heard gunfire coming from the direction of an island bird rookery. As the officer got closer, he saw birds flying erratically and some falling from the sky. Stermen called for backup and waited near a group of cars parked on a peninsula leading to the lake. The property is owned by the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and is allegedly posted with “No Trespassing” signs.
When the three suspects attempted to return to their cars by boat hours later, they were promptly arrested. Officers say there were firearms in the boat.
Four others, who remained on an island in the lake, were ferried back to land by authorities. Keith G. Lisa, 31, of North Bergen, N.J., Alexander B. Wilhelm, 24, of Annapolis, Md., Mark L. McClure, 23, of Osprey, Fla. and Stephanie M. Meads, 32, of Naples were also arrested and charged with misdemeanor trespassing.
Among the 21 dead birds collected by officers at the scene were a number of White Ibis and Blue Heron which are classified as “species of special concern” and are protected under Florida state law, according to the FWC.
In addition, Tree Swallows and cormorants, which are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, were also shot to death.
“In my 27 years as an officer I’ve never seen people deliberately shoot and kill birds and just leave them for dead,” said FWC Lt. Wayne Maahs. “This is truly a heinous act.”
Additional charges are pending.
To reach reporter Hallie Goodman, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail hgoodman@registerstar.com.
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