Two St. Pete Beach business owners have been charged with third-degree felonies after allegedly scattering around 1,500 toxic mothballs near bird nests in an attempt to deter an imperilled, endangered bird species from nesting there. The case matters because it alleges deliberate harm to protected wildlife and habitat on a public beach.

Prosecutors say the mothballs were placed to drive the birds away. Each owner could face up to five years in prison and financial penalties if convicted.