Is 'fowl' play or natural causes behind the injures of more than a dozen birds? | News

Atlantic Beach, Fla. --  Is it "fowl" play or natural causes that injured more than a dozen birds in Atlantic Beach?

Depending on who you ask, you will get a different answer to that question.

Although one thing is certain: 16 birds were found injured last week in or near Atlantic Beach.  The majority of the birds had broken wings.

The Atlantic Beach Police Department says they looked into it, but did not see any foul play.  The woman who has taken in the birds, Cindy Mosling with BEAKS, has a different opinion.  She says the injuries on the birds speak for themselves.

"You could see the impact of the pellet into the side of the bird. It breaks the wings, the wings are hollow so they break very easily," tells Mosling.

Mosling runs the bird sanctuary BEAKS on Talbot Island and she is certain the birds were shot with pellet guns which shattered their bones.

"They didn't just fall out of the sky with injuries like this and all have similar injuries, that doesn't just happen," says Mosling.

First Coast News also contacted the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Karen Parker with the FWC says they are still investigating what happened to the birds.

Of the 16 injured birds,  five have died and the rest will likely never fly again.

Sea gulls are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act which makes it a federal violation to shoot them.  If you see a person shooting birds you can report it to the FWC three ways:  1) call 888-404-FWCC  2) report it online  3) report it via text to Tip@MyFWC.com

If you find an injured bird, Cindy Mosling says to wrap it in a towel and you can drop it off inside one of the cages outside of BEAKS on Talbot Island.

If you would like to donate to help the injured sea gulls you can send donations to Cindy Mosling and BEAKS at 12084 Houston Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32226.