ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A wildlife refuge is now a popular destination for nudists, and some rare birds that inhabit the area off the coast of Saint Petersburg are being disturbed, wildlife officials said.
Passage Keys has been a federally protected habitat for nesting birds for 50 years.
However, recently the island has become a popular nudist destination.
State wildlife officials claim it is disrupting the rare birds and scaring them off.
"This is their home. This is a bird sanctuary on Anna Maria Island. We're blessed to be able to live here and build homes here, but ultimately this belongs to them," resident Laurie Higgins said.
A state wildlife spokesperson said it is a federal crime to walk on the island, but nudists are allowed to wade in the water off-shore.
Officials plan to meet in the spring to discuss what changes need to be made to better protect the nesting birds.
WFTV