Sandhill cranes in Lake County targeted with arrows

UMATILLA, Fla. (FOX 35 Orlando) - Someone is shooting Sandhill Cranes, a Florida protected species, around Umatilla. 

Anthony Villicana witnessed one crane near the North Lake County Park. He said he’s seen several birds near there injured from BB guns or paintballs.

“It’s not uncommon to see around here,” he said.

This time, the bird was injured with an arrow.

“It was a full arrow. like completely through it's body or neck area.”

Jane Lynn also saw birds in front of her home, at least three more wounded with arrows. Villicana said there’s not much they can do to help the birds.

“A biologist said that it was bad to remove it from the bird it's already had it for so long it's grown to live like that and if you were to remove it, it would hurt it in some sort of way.”

The pictures have been sent to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which is now investigating the shootings. Since these birds are considered a threatened species, wounding them or killing them is a misdemeanor.