An animal charity says it’s ‘deeply disturbing’ that a juvenile goose was shot through its neck by a crossbow bolt.
The injured bird – a juvenile Greylag Goose – was rescued following a call on Thursday afternoon from a concerned member of staff at the North Yorkshire Water Park near Wykeham, where the animal was discovered.
Animal rescuers from Yorkshire Swan & Wildlife Rescue found that the goose had sustained a serious injury caused by a bolt shot from a crossbow, which had passed through the lower part of the bird’s neck.
As the goose is not yet fully fledged, it is believed the incident occurred at or very close to the location where the bird was found.
The deliberate targeting of a wild bird with a crossbow is a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Dan Sidley, the charity’s founder who rescued the animal, said “We were shocked to discover the extent of this bird’s injuries.
“Deliberately inflicting suffering on a defenceless young wild animal is deeply disturbing, and something we find difficult to comprehend.
“We hope this incident serves as a reminder that wildlife crime should be taken seriously, and we encourage anyone with information to come forward.”
The incident has been reported to wildlife crime officers at North Yorkshire Police, who are investigating.
The goose remains in the care of the wildlife charity’s base at Barlow near Selby, where the animal is receiving treatment and continues to make a recovery.
Mr Sidley added “The apparent use of a crossbow in an area freely accessible to members of the public also presents a wider risk that clearly should not be ignored.”
Yorkshire Swan & Wildlife Rescue Hospital is urging anyone who may have information that may assist the investigation, to contact North Yorkshire Police by calling 101, and quoting incident number 03072026 – 0035.
