‘Oh, that’s disgusting’: Man fined for ‘disgusting’ act on camera

A man caught on video repeatedly driving over and crushing three bird chicks has copped a heavy fine over the ‘sickening’ act.

Warning: Graphic content

A man caught on video repeatedly driving over and crushing three plover chicks in Brisbane has copped a heavy fine over the “sickening” and “extremely cruel” act.

Wildlife officer Rachel Baker said the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service said she received a public tip-off in November 2022 about a vehicle driving over a masked lapwing plover’s nest.

The bystander also alerted the RSPCA, with the two organisations teaming up for the investigation.

“During the investigation, we received troubling video from a member of the public that allegedly showed the man in his vehicle deliberately targeting the nest,” Ms Baker explained.

“As he is driving over the nest, the parents of the chicks were squawking and flapping their wings in a futile attempt to prevent it.

“The actions of the man are disturbing, and it is extremely cruel to target defenceless hatchlings, or chicks that were about to hatch.

A man was issued a fine after an investigation into a sickening incident where he was captured on video crushing three plover chicks on a vacant lot in Brisbane. Picture: DES

The man cited “development reasons” for wanting to move the birds on from the vacant lot, though investigators weren’t having it.

“But that is not the way our native wildlife should be treated, and it is believed the plovers would have moved on from the area in a matter of weeks,” Ms Baker said.

Authorities were ‘sickened’ by the incident. Picture: DES

A man was fined $718. Picture: DES

The disturbing video, released by Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science, shows the man in a ute repeatedly reversing and driving over a masked lapwing plover’s nest.

“Oh, that’s disgusting”, the woman filming mutters, disturbed by the man’s act.

The plovers, common across Australia, generally construct a basic ground nest together and sometimes choose exposed locations like car parks, school fields or rooftops.

Ms Baker said the man’s actions had upset wildlife officers and the RSPCA’s inspectors.

“Under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, it is an offence to take, or kill a protected animal unless the person is authorised under the act,” she further explained.

“The maximum court-imposed penalty for breaching the act is $14,375.

A masked lapwing, commonly referred to as a plover, is common across the country. Picture: Cameron Bates

“Under the Nature Conservation Regulation 2020, it is an offence to tamper with an animal breeding place, such as a nest, that is being used by a protected animal to incubate or raise offspring.

“The maximum court-imposed penalty for breaching the regulation is $23,718.

“After a lengthy investigation, and with the help of the RSPCA and cooperation from witnesses, we issued the man with a $718 Penalty Infringement Notice for taking, or killing the birds.

“The man was also issued with a formal warning about tampering with the plover’s nest.”

Authorities note as spring arrives, it is important to keep in mind that birds will begin nesting, including ground-dwelling birds like plovers who will be creating their nests.

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The man drove back and forth over the chicks. Picture: DES

“If wildlife are potentially causing harm by swooping, people should hire a licenced wildlife removal and relocation service and not take matters into their own hands,” Ms Baker said.

An RSPCA Spokesperson said they were equally shocked at the vision.

“While we are pleased that there has been a consequence to this callous behaviour, the community will not tolerate these acts of animal cruelty,” they said.

“We absolutely need to send a message that this type of behaviour is completely unacceptable.”