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Driver Could Face Jail In Bird Deaths

POSTED: 1:30 pm PDT June 29, 2009
UPDATED: 2:05 pm PDT June 29, 2009

Authorities said a driver repeatedly sped through shore birds in a truck at Ocean Park, killing nearly 35 of them.

State Fish and Wildlife Sgt. Dan L. Chadwick said he has 34 bird carcasses. The only known survivor, a Caspian tern with a broken right wing, is at the Wildlife Center of the North Coast near Astoria. Another survivor had been brought back as well but had to be euthanized because its injuries were so severe, authorities said.

Chadwick said the 20-year-old man drove an older Jeep Wagoneer up and down the beach Friday for three hours Friday with two friends, ages 19 and 21, roaring through flocks of gulls and other birds at 40 to 60 mph. The birds are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and killing them is a crime, authorities said.

Chadwick said the driver turned himself in and is cooperating with authorities. He added that the young man could face a $5,000 fine and a year in jail for each dead and injured bird.

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