Video shows a Florida man running over a protected bird with an electric scooter

INDIAN SHORES, Fla. – Indian Shores Police said officers are working to identify a man caught on camera riding an electric scooter into a colony of protected birds.

The incident occurred on July 19 at Redington Shores Beach near the public beach access.

Robert Truesdell is a photographer and volunteer with Audubon Florida. He shot the video and posted it on social media.

“Just horrible. He flew around me and then flew up to the birds where all the birds were. And there were royal terns, black-billed terns and other types of birds that are up there and he ran right up to where they all were. I thought he was having fun watching them fly and unfortunately he ended up running over one of them,” Truesdell said.

Officials said the investigation into the incident was ongoing.

Police confirmed that the royal tern later died and the man could face charges of animal cruelty.

Police also stated that driving electric vehicles on the beach is prohibited and violates city ordinance.

Truesdell said children are usually seen playing with the birds, and he is working to educate people about the protected animals.

“The black-billed skimmers are protected in Florida because they are an endangered species and the Migratory Bird Act applies at the federal level. And the royal terns are protected at the federal level under the Migratory Bird Act,” Truesdell said.

Truesdell distributes photos of the birds with accompanying educational materials.

“Just respect nature. You know, they are living animals, living beings. Treat them with respect,” he said.

The nesting area on the beach is cordoned off. Signs warn about the protected birds and ask people to stay away.

Truesdell said breeding season begins in April. Black-billed and Royal Terns can be seen together, and the birds typically lay their eggs in May.

“This is where they teach the babies to feed themselves, so the babies continue to depend on the parents for nutrition. If you look, you’ll see them. You’ll see the babies flying around with the adults and walking along the shoreline,” Truesdell said.

If anyone has information about the incident, they are asked to contact Indian Shores Police. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is aware of the recent incident.

The public can provide tips to the FWC by calling the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or submitting a tip online by clicking here.

All waders and seabirds nesting in Florida are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

“I started taking photographs about five years ago and just watched the birds. The more I watched them and what people do with them, the more I realized they need someone to advocate for them,” Truesdell said.