The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 4 - June 13, 2007
Scuffle  - Continued from page 1
White Pelican "Sparky" Enjoying New
about the ground outside.
Home At Homosassa Springs Park
Deputies spoke with 20 year-old Nicholas R. Latraberse, who was inside the trailer
when they arrived. The report stated that he had numerous lacerations on his right arm. When
HOMOSASSA - Sparky, an American White Pelican, is happy in his new home at Homosassa
deputies identified themselves to him, Latraberse attempted to close the door, however, one
Springs Wildlife Park where he has joined the park's four other white pelicans in the wildlife
of the deputies held the door open. About that time, the other deputy spied a rifle on the floor
area. He can be seen swimming in the spring-fed stream and exploring the islands. But life
behind Latraberse and drew his service weapon while informing other deputy about the rifle.
hasn't always been so easy for Sparky, who just a few months ago was found seriously injured
Latraberse immediately ran toward a bedroom, and the deputy ordered him to place his hands
on an island in the Crystal River by Eco-Heritage Boat Tour Guide Leroy Smith, Park Ranger
on his head and lie on the floor. Deputies handcuffed Latraberse, escorted him outside, and
from the Crystal River Preserve State Park and Captain Bob Beck, a Park Services Specialist at
contacted Emergency Medical Services (EMS) about his injuries.
the park.
Deputies spoke with 20 year-old Sarah Hessinger. She said she was sleeping and
Robbins and Beck operate eco-heritage tours along the banks of the Crystal River
awakened to hear Latraberse and 20 year-old Patricia Diiorio arguing. When she walked into
three mornings a week (on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. and Fridays at 1:30 p.m.)
their room to find out what was going on, she said, Latraberse started pushing her, then hit her
They had noticed a white pelican on the shore of Wash Island on a Friday morning trip, which
on the left side of her head. She said she became afraid of Latraberse, so she went across the
was unusual because the bird was on shore and by itself. However, when they saw it in the
street, and 39 year-old Mary Hall let her come inside. Hessinger said that Latraberse ran after
same spot on Saturday morning, they still thought it may be a female nesting on the shore. But
her and banged repeatedly on the front door. When Hall answered the door to tell Latraberse
when the bird was still there on Monday morning and looking rather lifeless, Park Manager
to leave, Latraberse entered the residence, uninvited, while Hall was attempting to close the
Nick Robbins told Beck to assemble a crew including the park's biologist and environmental
door. Hessinger said that Latraberse attempted to get physical with her, and when 34 year-old
specialist Keith Morin and CAMA's (Coastal Aquatic Managed Areas) Tim Jones, an envi-
Kevin Bowers tried to separate them, Latraberse started striking him. The deputy spoke with
ronmental specialist. Beck said, "To be honest with you, when we went back we really thought
both Hall and Bowers and they corroborated Hessigner's account of the incident.
we were going on a recovery mission rather than a rescue mission."
Diiorio told the deputies that the entire situation developed when she made sexual
When they reached the island and approached the pelican, they were surprised to
advances toward Latraberse, and he bit her on the chest. She said she was upset and started
find that in spite of a badly injured wing and dehydration, the bird was still alive. Beck notes
arguing with him, and the argument escalated when Latraberse broke the door's window
"the pelican looked up at us and it seemed to have a sparkle in its eye. Because of this sparkle,
glass. She said Latraberse pushed her onto the floor, which was covered in broken glass,
we decided to call the pelican Sparky."
cutting her arms and legs.
The crew worked carefully to disentangle the bird from discarded monofilament
EMS arrived on the scene and attended to Latraberse's and Diiorio's injuries. Latraberse
fishing line and brought it back to shore. It was transported to Midway Animal Hospital in
was transported to Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center, "Where he became belligerent and
Homosassa where Dr. Mark Lowe and his staff treated and cared for Sparky. The bird's condi-
verbally and physically combative with the emergency room physician, Deputy Ferguson
tion gradually improved, and his prognosis was good. Sparky was eating and drinking on his
and this deputy (Valdes-Roig)," the report stated. Latraberse refused treatment and was
own and was gaining strength. When he was strong enough, surgery was done on the bird's
released from the hospital.
wing to repair a serious laceration.
While enroute to the Citrus County Detention Facility, the report stated that Latraberse
Although greatly improved, Sparky was not quite ready to be returned back to the
attempted to break the right rear window of the patrol car with his head. Latraberse was
wild. Instead on March 1st, he was brought to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park where
booked into jail at 3:08 a.m. and charged with one count of residential burglary ($15,000 bond),
he could continue his recovery while being monitored in a large outdoor enclosure until he
two counts of simple battery ($1000 bond), one count of resisting arrest without violence
was ready to be introduced out into the wildlife park. During this time, he was treated with a
($500 bond), and two counts of domestic battery (no bond). The report stated there was
two-week long course of antibiotics to ward off infection after surgery. Wildlife Care Ranger
indication that Latraberse was under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Jessica Frey said their patient had developed "a voracious appetite and was virtually fear-
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less." She added, "He didn't like taking his medicine, but he does enjoy eating."
On March 17, Wildlife Care Supervisor Susan Lowe decided Sparky's recovery was
complete and he was ready for a soft-release in the wildlife park. According to Frey, "He
New Summer Hours:
immediately joined up with the four resident pelicans. They can be seen cruising the water-
ways together. We'll have to wait and see what he decides to do, but the door is always open
Sunday, 6am-4pm
for him at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park."
Mon-Thurs, 6am-8pm
Fri-Sat, 6am-9pm
Inglis,fl
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We accept: Cash, Checks, Debit &
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(352) 447-6112
14 Hwy. 19N, Inglis, Florida - New Ownership
Sparky is free to fly out of the park whenever he wants, but so far he has not strayed from the other
Formerly Muddy Waters Cafe
pelicans.
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15 Acres of Off-Leash areas
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352-341-2275
6301 E. Turner Camp Rd.
5 miles north of Inglis on Hwy 19
Inverness, FL. 34450
fax: 352-341-2862
352-447-1455