An Illawarra seabird rescuer has issued a plea for parents to keep a close eye on their children during school holidays after two animals were found with horrific injuries this week.
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In one of the incidents, a pelican had to be operated on after it sustained what appeared to be a gunshot wound to its pouch.
The injured pelican was spotted on the water at Greenwell Point by an Australian Seabird Rescue (ASR) member on Monday.
“You can see daylight [through the pouch],” ASR rescue coordinator Betty Spilsted told the Mercury.
“The side that it’s been shot on, the exit hole on the other side is just perfectly round; the size of a .22 rifle.”
Ms Spilsted said the pelican also had a wound on its head, suggesting it shook off a second shot attempt.
In a separate incident, a young spoonbill was found at Koona Bay, Albion Park Rail, on Wednesday – both of its legs had been broken. It didn’t survive.
“They all fly with their feet tucked up, so it can’t possibly have flown into something,” she said. “It’s just been smashed in the same place on both legs, straight across the knees.”
Ms Spilsted said holidays were “horrendous” for bird injuries and there was “a fair chance” kids were involved this time around.
“What possible reason could an adult have for breaking a spoonbill’s legs? All they do is just walk along the water edge,” she said.
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
