Investigating Another Painted Animal, FWC Reminds Public It’s Illegal To Paint Birds

WFSU | By Sascha Cordner

Published August 15, 2016 at 4:47 PM EDT

This white ibis, which was illegally painted, is now in the hands of Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter for rehabilitation.

Florida wildlife officials are investigating the illegal painting of another animal. After recent reports about turtles, now officials are seeing the same thing happen to a particular bird.

Last month, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stated they’d received multiple reports of people painting the shells of turtles and gopher tortoises. And, last week, FWC officials got a report of a white ibis someone had colored orange. FWC Avian Conservation Coordinator Craig Faulhaber says people need to remember it’s not only illegal, it’s bad for the birds.

“Birds need their feathers for really important functions like flying, regulating their body temperature, and for water proofing their body,” he said. “And, if you’re applying a foreign substance to the feathers, that can interrupt those critical functions.”

The ibis is currently at the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter for rehabilitation. Officials are asking anyone who has information about the case or any others to contact the FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner .