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The bird will likely have some permanent damage and may be released in mid to late January, at the earliest.
By SUSAN THURSTON, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 28, 2001
WEST MEADOWS -- More than three months after being shot in the leg, a sandhill crane is slowly recuperating at a bird sanctuary in Pinellas County.
The man responsible is serving time at an animal shelter.
The 4-foot bird was hurt in September when a construction worker shot it with a nail gun in West Meadows, authorities said. A homeowner saw it limping and called wildlife officials.
Animal rescuers captured the bird and are nursing it back to health at the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary in Indian Shores.
"The leg is mending, but he's going to have some permanent damage," said Barbara Suto, supervisor of the sanctuary's hospital.
Suto hopes to release the crane in mid to late January, at the earliest. The bird, whose sex is unknown, suffered a nasty infection and needs to gain weight before it can go back to the wild.
To ease the transition, hospital workers have moved the crane to a larger pen where it can exercise its wings and see other birds. They want to stimulate its appetite and get it used to the outdoors.
The grayish-brown bird eats a mixture of pellets, mealworms, corn, fish and diced mice. Three times a day, caretakers force a high-calorie puree down its throat, using a large tube that looks like a turkey baster.
Genaro Botello, 19, of Wauchula was arrested Oct. 2 in connection with the incident after authorities matched the nail in the bird's leg with Botello's nail gun. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 300 hours of community service work, 10 days in jail and three years' probation. He also must pay about $1,000 toward the bird's care and rehabilitation and $630 in court fees, fines and investigation costs.
"That's not a slap on the hand," said Gary Morse, a spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "I think the judge sent a message."
Suto said the punishment seemed appropriate, though she finds it incomprehensible that anyone would hurt an animal. She hoped that volunteering at a shelter would give him a new appreciation and respect for animals.
"They have personalities," she said. "They are more than just birds out in the wild."
Botello could not be reached for comment.