Officials investigating the cause of injured waterfowl at Mile Square Regional Park say the injuries seem to be caused by the turtles, which are illegal in California.
Visitors to the county park say they've reported dozens of severed duck bills and fishing line-entangled birds to no avail, so are taking matters into their own hands. Meanwhile, an investigation ensues.
The rare sighting Saturday of a mule deer in Costa Mesa ended sadly, when Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center employees were forced to put the animal down due to a leg fracture.
A Costa Mesa police spokeswoman remained tight-lipped about the number of birds found over the weekend and their condition but confirmed they'd sustained injuries similar to four birds found shot by a pellet gun on April 18.