Cape Coral Construction Displaces Burrowing Owls, Sparks Community Outrage

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — A Cape Coral resident is raising concerns after witnessing the destruction of a burrowing owl habitat.

Early Thursday morning, around 8:30 a.m., concerned neighbor Amanda Goodwin says she saw the bulldozing of the protective sign for burrowing owls at the construction site at NE 8th Place and NE 11th Street.

Goodwin says she saw a white pickup truck with a tractor dismantling the sign. NBC2 even spotted a displaced owl while at the construction site.

Judy Mitchell, president of Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife, came out to the site and said the removal looked like it did not follow proper procedures.

“The signs and nest appear not to be taken out as the professional organization would have done,” she said.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigated and told NBC2 that construction crews had the required permits and complied with regulations.

After the nesting season ends on July 10, contractors can pay for state permits from FWC to remove owl burrows.

Despite this, Goodwin, the concerned neighbor, says it shouldn’t be allowed. She plans to start a petition to better protect these threatened species.