Sunset Beach man accused of beating pelican to death

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Sunset Beach man has been charged with beating a pelican to death.

According to the NC Wildlife Commission, Nelson Livingston, 24, was checking his crab pots at Tubbs Inlet Tuesday morning when pelicans flew around his boat.

A wildlife officer says Livingston took a stick and tried to shoo them away but they wouldn’t leave.

A witness reported seeing him beat a pelican to death.

When a wildlife officer arrived, he found the dead pelican.

Livingston tells WWAY he didn’t beat the bird to death. He says he was swinging his push pole and accidentally hit the bird.

Livingston was charged with a misdemeanor and will appear in court May 22.