"Horrific": FWC Searching for Man Who Injured Great White Heron With Rock at Miami Park

On January 20, a woman at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park called the staff at Pelican Harbor Seabird Station to report a disturbing incident: She'd just seen a fisherman throw a large rock at a Great White Heron that attempted to steal the man's fish.

Amanda Burke, a wildlife rehabilitator for the Miami-based nonprofit that rescues native wildlife, arrived at the scene shortly after. She found the large white bird hiding and crouched in the grass near the water, with its right wing drooping and bleeding heavily. Once at the station, x-rays revealed a fractured humerus with two breaks. Emergency surgery was scheduled for the following morning.

Although Burke's work often involves treating animals harmed by human-related injuries or illnesses, she says these cases are typically accidental — such as window strikes or habitat loss.

This, she says, was different.

"This one really stuck with me and really upset me a lot because it was so horrific. It just made me so sad the more I thought about it because, especially in Miami, we're constantly encroaching on wild habitat and taking away what little they already have," Burke tells New Times. "And, you know, this poor thing was just trying to eat."

Burke spoke with a park ranger at Bill Baggs, who attempted to approach the fisherman after the incident. But the ranger told her the man quickly packed his belongings and left the park.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) tells New Times that it's now investigating the incident and seeking information about the person responsible.

"[FWC] officers are aware of an incident of animal cruelty involving a Great White Heron that occurred at Bill Baggs State Park in Miami-Dade County on January 20, 2025," Arielle Callender, an FWC spokesperson, tells New Times. "The FWC asks anyone who witnessed this incident or anyone with information to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922)."

The Great White Heron lives primarily in mangroves, tidal shallows, and coastal ponds in peninsular Florida. The majestic birds have the "largest, heaviest bills," typically a distinct yellow-orange color, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

According to Florida law, a person who intentionally commits an act to an animal that "results in the cruel death, or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering" commits aggravated animal cruelty — a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

Pelican Harbor Seabird Station's Instagram photos show the bandaged-up bird cowering inside a cage, as well as X-rays of its fractured wing.

Burke explained that the station's vet placed pins into its fracture during surgery and achieved "incredible alignment, especially given the circumstances."

"Though the bird's prognosis is guarded, we are hopeful that this terrible injury will be just a small blip in its long life," the Instagram post reads. "Hopefully, this beautiful bird will heal from these injuries and make it back out to the world where it belongs."

On Wednesday Burke said the bird was showing signs of improvement but that the fragments will likely take several weeks to heal.

Editor's note: Founded in 1980 to rescue native wildlife, Pelican Harbor Seabird Station is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit that operates solely through donations. To learn more and/or to donate, visit pelicanharbor.org.