ISLAMORADA, Fla. – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has arrested a man who they said was captured on camera trying to remove an identification band from the leg of a brown pelican, News 6 partner WPLG reported.
The incident allegedly occurred earlier this year at Robbie’s Marina of Islamorada. FWC officials said Robert Charles Hovey Jr., 33, of Louisiana, “captured a wild animal within the boundaries of a state park, violated the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and tormented an animal in a cruel and inhumane manner.” An arrest warrant was obtained for Hovey on March 13 and he turned himself in to authorities in Monroe County on Monday.