Exterminator rescues Longboat Key wildlife

An exterminator with an eye for wildlife has become something of a lifesaver on Longboat Key.

By Lesley Dwyer
| 11:50 a.m. November 25, 2022

Within six months, while on the job for NaturZone Pest Control, Byrne rescued three swans, two sea turtles and a burrowing owl.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Kevin Byrne is in pest control, but he’s not what you’d call an exterminator. Byrne is quite the opposite: He’s become a life saver for Longboat Key wildlife.

Within six months, while on the job for NaturZone Pest Control, Byrne rescued three swans, two sea turtles and a burrowing owl.

He has a passion for protecting Florida wildlife and has built relationships with two local rescue and rehabilitation centers through his encounters: Wildlife Inc. and Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. When the two turtle hatchlings were lost and headed towards traffic, Byrnes scooped them up and delivered them to Mote’s sea turtle hospital.

It’s not surprising that Byrne’s coworkers call him the NaturZone Steve Irwin.

author

Lesley Dwyer

Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.