The San Diego Humane Society recently took in two injured raptors with wounds consistent with gunfire.
San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife program brought in two hawks who were shot, underscoring the serious harm gunfire can cause to protected wildlife. Humane Society representatives said the incidents underscore the importance of safely sharing neighborhood environments with birds of prey.
One injured bird was a red-tailed hawk who underwent orthopedic surgery and a red-shouldered hawk with fractures to the left humerus — a bone in the wing — and clavicle.
The red-shouldered hawk was shot with two pellets and was also diagnosed with lead poisoning. While under anesthesia for treatment of their wound, the red-shouldered hawk died.
These cases are believed to be unrelated.
The red-tailed hawk with the single gunshot wound arrived on Sept. 10 after being found in Indio and first taken to Desert Wildlife Center for triage.
The red-shouldered hawk had been found on the ground, unable to fly, in San Diego’s Encanto neighborhood on Sept. 22.
“Hawks should be able to soar over our neighborhoods without becoming targets,” said Alexis Wohl, DVM, CWR, Wildlife Veterinary Manager for San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife program. “Coexisting with wildlife means finding humane solutions to concerns, not inflicting injuries on animals that belong in our environment.”
Hawks and other birds of prey play an important role in healthy ecosystems, including helping control rodent populations, authorities said.
Raptors are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and other federal and state laws, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.