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Painted wildlife has Florida group angry

Posted at 3:45 AM, Aug 18, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-18 06:49:46-04

Don't feed the wildlife is a common sign seen in zoos and other places.

But don't paint them?

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is issuing that notice for anyone with the time, skill and equipment needed to decorate wildlife. 

Apparently, the group has noticed and documented painted animals such as white ibis — a white bird with a long beak. Tortoises and turtles also have been found with paint on their shells. Both the white ibis and gopher tortoise are protected species and it is illegal to harass them. 

Painting is considered harassment and could hurt the animal. 

"You can paint your house, a piece of furniture, a canvas, or even your own fingernails or toenails, but you should never paint the shells of turtles and gopher tortoises!" FWC wrote in a Facebook post. "While to you it may seem harmless, painting the shells of turtles and tortoises can severely compromise their health." 

The paint can hurt a turtle or gopher tortoise's ability to soak in vitamins and cause respiratory problems.