Man arrested after allegedly running around Idaho campground holding a pelican

A man was charged with misdemeanor disturbing the peace and resisting or obstructing officers on July 11, after he was allegedly intoxicated and running around a campground holding a pelican, EastIdahoNews.com reported.

The man was arrested on July 11 at the Warm Slough campground in Rexburg, after a witness called the Madison County Sheriff’s Department to report that three intoxicated males “had caught a pelican and were carrying it around the campground,” according to police reports.

When officers arrived, they told the three men that they were being given a warning for harassing the wildlife.

According to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, pelicans are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Two of the men, reportedly began yelling at the officers. The third man admitted that they had caught the pelican and allegedly then tried to calm the other two men.

According to court documents, the two men continued to scream and “flip off” the officers.

One of them allegedly began cursing loudly and “causing a disturbance with the families and kids on the rivers edge.” The man then reportedly reached for the officer’s vest and was taken to the ground by officers and handcuffed.

The man was booked into the Madison County Jail. If convicted, the man could spend up to six months in prison.

This story was originally published July 19, 2022 at 7:17 PM.