Breaking news: Fourth suspect surrenders in bird attacks

Birds were hit with blow-darts

By Dan Parker South Jetty reporter The fourth and last suspect in a series of blow-dart attacks on birds surrendered himself to the Port Aransas Police Department today – Monday, Nov. 3, a detective said. The 21-year-old Corpus Christi resident was wanted on arrest warrants accusing him of two counts of hunting during a closed season and two counts of using illegal means and methods to hunt, said Lt. Darryl Johnson, a detective with the Port Aransas Police Department. Those charges are Texas Parks and Wildlife code violations. He also was wanted on a Port Aransas municipal code violation alleging discharge of a projectile within the city limits, Johnson said. Law enforcement officers arrested three other men – two Port Aransas residents and a Gregory resident – on Friday in connection with blow-dart attacks on birds. All of the charges against the men are misdemeanors. “All four suspects were employees of a business in Port Aransas and are believed to have injured the birds while taking their breaks at the business,” Johnson wrote in a news release. “The business owner was cooperative and aided authorities in the investigation.” Port Aransas wildlife rehabilitators have rescued two of several birds spotted in recent weeks flying around with blow darts protruding from their bodies. Community members put together a reward of at least $1,000 for information leading to the successful prosecution of those responsible for the cruelty. It was unclear today who, if anyone, might get a reward now that the four men have been identified as suspects. All of the birds hit by the darts also are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Violating the act can mean fines up to $5,000 and up to six months in jail. It was unclear whether the arrested men would face federal charges. Four birds – three laughing gulls and a grackle – have been seen with blow darts hanging from their bodies, said Tony Amos, director of the Animal Rehabilitation Keep (ARK), a facility that mends sick and injured wildlife on the grounds of the University of Texas Marine Science Institute. Rescuers caught one gull, but it died, despite efforts to nurse it back to health. The ARK also has rehabilitated an American oystercatcher that was found on Padre Island with two blow darts protruding from its body. The bird, caught Oct. 10, was treated at the ARK and, after some convalescence, was released in good condition on the beach on Mustang Island on Tuesday, Oct. 28. “The bird has gained weight and is anxious to go,” Amos wrote in an e-mail to the South Jetty not long before the release. Wildlife rehabilitators have been unable to catch the other injured birds.