WICHITA – Law enforcement authorities in Sedgwick County are investigating the death of approximately 30 Egrets from a residential area near Central and Interstate 235, according to a social media report from Wichita Police.

The birds are protected by federal law and it is illegal to injure or kill them. Individuals also cannot harass or move the Egrets once they have nested.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is assisting with the investigation.

Egrets had been known to roost in a residential area a little more than a mile north of where the deceased birds were found, sometimes irritating residents. But most of the trees they used to roost were bulldozed last year.

Police are expected to released additional details on Thursday.