Disney Seeking Settlement in Wild Bird Case
Walt Disney World is negotiating with prosecutors to settle charges that the amusement park abused wild birds, particularly vultures, that invaded its zoological park, lawyers said.
U.S. Magistrate Elizabeth Jenkins agreed last week to postpone Disney’s arraignment on federal charges for 30 days after both sides said they thought that they could reach a plea agreement.
State and federal charges were filed against the central Florida theme park last month after the deaths of vultures and the alleged mistreatment of other birds at Discovery Island, an 11-acre zoological site.
Disney has said the wild birds were attacking animals, stealing their food, defecating on park boardwalks and making too much noise.
Disney and five employees were charged with 13 state misdemeanors and three federal counts. Included were allegations that workers beat vultures to death; held dozens of them in a small, overheated shed with little food and water; shot hawks and falcons; and knocked eggs from the nests of egrets and ibises.
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