Manatee County officials want to find a ‘red’ vulture recently spotted in northwest Bradenton.
Residents in the area spotted the bird and called Damen Hurd with Nuisance Wildlife, Inc. to try and catch it.
"I do not believe it's blood on there. I think either he got into some sort of chemical and sitting in sunlight changed the color or somebody painted him or he fell into paint of some kind, but definitely I've never seen anything like this before," said Hurd.
Hurd says they believe it has a broken wing and needs help. He's concerned its injury and color could be putting it in danger.
"Now we're not only concerned about the wing but we want to know what the heck happened with its coloration and its body," said Hurd. "Why is it red, was it chemicals, was it paint? Did somebody do this to it or is it a natural thing?"
We contacted Lee Fox at the Save Our Seabirds on Longboat Key, who looked at the photo and believes the bird was painted. She said this could possibly kill the bird.
"There are toxins in the paint and they absorb everything through their skin and feathers so it could make him sick, we'll treat him for poison," said Fox.
She's also worried it could make him blind.
"If this vulture is found and it was indeed spray painted we're told whoever did this to the bird could be in trouble," said Fox. "It's against the law. It's animal cruelty just like it would be to a cat or dog."
If found, please contact Damen Hurd with Nuisance Wildlife, Inc. and call 941-778-6324.