Osprey nest wins stay of execution for defunct Florida mall sign

TITUSVILLE, Fla., May 20 (UPI) -- The planned demolition of the sign outside of a defunct Florida mall has been put on hold due to a protected group of squatters: a mother osprey and her babies.

The Miracle City Mall sign in Titusville is the only remaining part of the mall, which was demolished to make way for the planned Titusville Landing shopping center, but its removal has been postponed due to the presence of the nest and ospreys, which are protected by federal law.

"When the babies fly away, they'll be able to take the sign down and get rid of the nest," construction worker Broks Ramage told WKMG-TV.

The workers would be able to move the nest, but they would need permission from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

"You have to get a permit through FWC before they can move them," FWC Officer Greg Workman told Florida Today.

Workers said the birds are not blocking construction efforts and the sign can remain while they work on the new building.

Cliff Aiken of Exxcel Project Management said the developers are planning to simply wait until the birds abandon the nest before they tear down the sign.