The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA ) is appealing for information after a buzzard was found shot and badly injured in Castletown Geoghegan earlier this week.
A member of the public found the injured buzzard and brought it to the ISPCA National Animal Centre in Longford where it received immediate pain relief and was then transferred to the Kildare Animal Foundation for specialist treatment by a wildlife vet. Sadly one of the bird’s wings was so badly damaged that the bird could not be saved and had to be humanely euthanized to prevent further suffering
Dr Andrew Kelly, ISPCA CEO said: “In Ireland all wild birds including buzzards (or clamhán in Irish ) are protected under the Wildlife Act 1976 and it is illegal to take them from the wild, injure or kill them. They feed on carrion and rodents such as rats so they pose no threat to farm animals or pets. Why such a beautiful bird would be targeted in this manner remains a mystery. This poor bird must have been in agony until it was found and given pain relief. Buzzards are magnificent birds and are an integral part of Ireland’s natural fauna. Although they are found mostly in the north and east of Ireland, they have been recolonizing other parts of the country over the last few years. They are scarce in the Midlands where this one was shot.”
Dan Donoher, Kildare Animal Foundation added: “We are saddened that we were unable to help this juvenile buzzard. An X-ray determined both metacarpals had been fractured and unfortunately one of his wing tips had become gangrenous so he would not survive. The right decision was made to put him humanely to sleep. We are appealing to anyone with information about this incident to contact the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the ISPCA, or ourselves.”
You can contact the ISPCA on (043 ) 3325035, email [email protected], or visit www.ispca.ie
