Man Arrested for Injuring Great White Heron With Rock at Bill Baggs Park

The search for the man who injured a Great White Heron with a rock at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on January 20 has ended. On February 7, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) arrested 34-year-old Edgar Estuardo Valenzuela for offenses involving harm to federally protected wildlife.

Valenzuela, who is also on an immigration hold, calling into question his legal status in the United States, was charged with one count of wounding or killing an endangered species, a third-degree felony.

As New Times previously reported, a woman at the park in Key Biscayne called the Pelican Harbor Seabird Station to report that she had witnessed a man throw a rock at a Great White Heron. 

According to a FWC press release, "The officers' investigation determined that Valenzuela was fishing in the park when he became angry at the heron for eating his bait. He then started throwing rocks at the bird, striking the animal and severely injuring it." Upon police questioning, the man admitted to hurling rocks at the heron, prompting his arrest and transport to jail.

"The protection of our resources in Florida, particularly our wildlife, is a top priority to our officers," Maj. Alberto Maza, FWC regional commander for the area that includes Key Biscayne, said in the press release. "We are grateful to the witnesses that took action to call a wildlife rescue and to Pelican Harbor Seabird Station for performing the emergency surgery and providing the ongoing care necessary to give the heron its best chance at recovery."

After rehabbers from Miami-based nonprofit Pelican Harbor Seabird Station (PHSS) rescued the bird and performed X-rays confirming both fractured and broken bones, the heron underwent emergency surgery.

"Fractures of this nature will take much longer to heal than that of a simple break, so we still have quite a long road ahead and its prognosis remains guarded," PHSS wrote on its Instagram alongside photos and videos showing a veterinarian removing the bird's bandages and checking its fractures. "For the time being, we continue to provide care to ensure maximum comfort and healing for this patient."

As of this reporting, Valenzuela remains jailed at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.