Three teens cited for allegedly shooting, killing animals at Galveston sanctuary over Easter weekend

Staff were on-site performing a wildlife survey and discovered an American Alligator, Great Egret and Roseate Spoonbill had been shot. The alligator was the only animal that was not immediately killed and is expected to survive. less Staff were on-site performing a wildlife survey and discovered an American Alligator, Great Egret and Roseate Spoonbill had been shot. The alligator was the only animal that was not immediately killed and is ... more Photo: Photo Courtesy: Andrew McCullough (left) And Greg Lavaty/Texas Target Birds Photo: Photo Courtesy: Andrew McCullough (left) And Greg Lavaty/Texas Target Birds Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Three teens cited for allegedly shooting, killing animals at Galveston sanctuary over Easter weekend 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

Three teenagers have been cited for allegedly shooting and killing animals at a Galveston-area bird sanctuary over Easter weekend.

Two 18-year-olds and a 15-year-old were issued a total of nine citations and two warnings from Texas Game Wardens after they allegedly criminally trespassed and killed several animals by firing more than two dozen shots with a small-caliber rifle at the Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary in High Island, according to a statement from the Houston Audubon.

ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Houston SPCA’s Wildlife Center of Texas sees spike in injured and orphaned animals during pandemic

Staff were on-site performing a wildlife survey and discovered an American Alligator, Great Egret and Roseate Spoonbill had been shot. The alligator was the only animal that was not immediately killed and is expected to survive.

Citations issued include killing a protected bird, disturbing nesting birds and harassing nesting birds. Each citation may result in a $500 fine. Neither one of the 18-year-olds had a valid hunting license.

Houston Audubon Conservation Director Richard Gibbons said aside from the Smith Oaks location, vandalism has been reported twice in one week at the Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary, with several vehicles reported entering the nesting and roosting areas there.

PETS OF THE WEEK: Meet Wylie & Oaklynn, two of Alvin Animal Shelter's longest-staying dogs, and others that need homes

Officials said those taking advantage of the stay-at-home orders to harm wildlife is "troubling" and are hoping the babies of the birds that were killed will survive.

“In spite of the pandemic and this incident, Houston Audubon remains steadfast in its efforts to protect wildlife through habitat conservation, outreach and education," Houston Audubon Executive Director Helen Drummond said in an emailed statement. "We hope that one day everyone will value and appreciate the important role wildlife and nature plays in our common humanity and incidents like this one will be a thing of the past.”

Rebecca Hennes covers community news. Read her on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | rebecca.hennes@chron.com