Maryland Man Appears To Attack Pelican In Viral Video

EDGEWATER, MD — A Maryland man is in hot water after publishing a video on Facebook that appears to show him attacking a federally protected pelican in the Florida Keys.

Hunter Hardesty, of Davidsonville, posted the apparent attack video to his Facebook account on Thursday, March 7. The 22-second video — which is geotagged to Key West, Florida — shows Hardesty leaning over a ledge and then pouncing on the pelican in the water.

While onlookers laughed, a bystander said: "Excuse me. If you don't get out of there right now, I'm going to call security." The pelican then bites Hardesty before escaping from his clutches.

Many on social media were quick to criticize Hardesty, saying he abused the federally protected pelican and should face legal consequences.

Robert Klepper, spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, told Patch that the agency has seen the video and is taking the matter "very seriously."

"We are investigating the video for possible criminal violations," said Klepper.

Klepper, however, did not specify how much legal trouble Hardesty may face.