Florida man chases down, plucks feathers from Sandhill crane

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A Florida man chased down an endangered species and removed its feathers.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Jupiter Police department arrested Michael Bochicchio, 31, for endangering a threatened species.

According to the arrest report, Bochicchio chased and grabbed the neck of a Sandhill crane and began to remove its feathers.

Sandhill cranes are on Florida's threatened species list, making it illegal to touch, harass, or remove parts of the species in the State of Florida.

Witnesses say they tried to stop Bochicchio from chasing the crane.

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One witness told officers that Bochicchio held the feathers up in their face and asked if they wanted to keep them.

Bochicchio was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail.