Posted on 05/07/2003 9:03:33 PM PDT by Chirodoc
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The osprey that died after being deliberately struck with a baseball by a Cubs minor-league pitcher succumbed to a burst liver abscess, wildlife experts said.
Necropsy results released Tuesday by the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland found the official cause of death was septic shock, caused by the ruptured abscess.
"Most likely, that abscess burst or was ruptured when it was hit by the baseball," said Bob Mindick, director of centers for Audubon of Florida.
Jae-kuk Ryu, a 19-year-old South Korean pitcher for the Class-A Daytona Cubs, knocked Ozzy the osprey from its perch at Jackie Robinson Ballpark during pre-game practice April 21.
Ozzy appeared to survive the incident, which gained international attention, but would not eat. He died April 27 at the Audubon center.
Ozzy probably had the abscess for about a month, Mindick said. A common occurrence in wild birds and other wild animals, the abscess likely would have killed the bird eventually.
"Getting hit in the head with a baseball sped up that process," Mindick said.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission charged Ryu with harming a protected bird, with his arraignment scheduled for June 26. The second-degree misdemeanor carries a maximum fine of $500 and 60 days in jail.
Commission officials have said that the bird's death doesn't affect the charges.
Ryu, who witnesses said threw four balls at the bird before successfully knocking him from a 40-foot perch over right field, had been a top prospect with the Chicago Cubs organization.
Following public outcry over the incident, the Cubs sent Ryu to another of their Class-A affiliates, the Lansing (Mich.) Lugnuts of the Midwest League.
Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagosports.chicagotribune.com ...
The perfect team for Ryu.
You can't fine a bird, silly.
I have been following this story and the related threads on FR. I can't believe some paleo-cons are claiming that it was okay to kill the bird for no reason after being warned.
I'm not animal rights freak by any measure but I believe conservativism doesn't include this sort of behavior.
And here I was thinking that you were talking about the V-22.
Me neither. I just don't see the point in it.
No, I'm not some PETA type, I hunt, I love firearms, and I realize that if some kid had done this with a BB gun that there would be a HUGE call for a ban of BB guns.
What irks me is that this jerk will get off with a slap on the wrist compared to anyone else because he throws a baseball for a living. He should have to get a real job.
Interesting concept of a pet. I suppose we should round up all the duck-hunters and imprison them, as well. Not to mention the entire pest control industry.
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