Osprey Found Shot in East Lake

An osprey that was found shot in East Lake has had its injured wing amputated. The female osprey was found injured Saturday morning near the Pinellas Trail, just off East Lake Road and across from East Lake United Methodist Church. Ospreys are protected by Florida statute and federal law.

East Lake resident Barb Walker, who is also with the Audubon Society, says she was notified about the injured osprey by the SPCA. She picked up the bird and transported it to Busch Gardens, so veterinarians there could treat it. Walker initially thought the osprey had been hit by a car. But, she later learned from a veterinarian at the park that the osprey had been shot. Thursday, the veterinarian amputated the osprey's injured wing.

There are five osprey nests in the immediate area. Walker is not sure which nest the osprey came from. She says it is peak time for osprey nesting season. Many birds have eggs in their nests or are caring for young in their nests. 

Walker says the shooting of this female osprey could lead to problems with the local osprey population.

"In this case, it could mean that two eggs will not hatch or that two nestlings will die of starvation and cold because one parent cannot incubate alone," said Walker, who also blogs about wildlife on Patch.

"If parents have children of any age that own BB guns,  it would be great if they could ask them to refrain from shooting at wildlife," said Walker.

Walker says there have been five osprey shootings in Pinellas County over the last 10 months-

• 1 was shot in the Palm Harbor subdivision of Cobb's Landing
• 1 was shot in Belleair
• 2 were shot in the St. Petersburg neighborhood of Shore Acres
• 1 was shot in East Lake 

Walker says if anyone has tips about who might be shooting at wildlife, they should contact the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Related-

• Patrols Increased After Osprey Shooting

Subscribe to the Palm Harbor Patch newsletter to have local news delivered to your email each day. Sign up here.