Weyco Group - Killing Gulls
Glendale, WI (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Jun 16, 1999
County: Milwaukee
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Weyco Group
Weyco Group, Inc., a shoe manufacturer, pleaded guilty to unlawfully killing a ring-billed gull, a federally protected species of migratory bird. Weyco Group had obtained a depredation perimt which allowed the removal of 1,000 nests and eggs from it's building. However, the permit specifically prohibited killing any live birds.
On June 16, 1999, witnesses reported that two employees of the Weyco Group arrived at the roof of the building clad in industrial garbage cans. The cans had plexiglass-covered cutouts so that they could see. The cans were used to protect the workers from the angry mother gulls who were trying to protect their young.
The workers reportedly began shoveling the baby birds off of the building, and smashing others with their shovels. Approximately 350 gull carcasses were found at the building.
Weyco Group Inc., was fined $15,000 (the maximum allowed under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act), and agreed to make an additional $15,000 donation to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, to be used for conservation of colonial waterfowl. References
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