Conservationists have found a protected tarāpunga/red-billed gull that was shot with a crossbow bolt in Oamaru.
A protected tarāpunga/red-billed gull is recovering after it was shot with a crossbow in Oamaru Photo: Supplied / Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony staff spotted the bird with the bolt lodged behind its wing in the harbour near Sumpter Wharf this morning.
They caught the gull, which could not fly, and took it to the vet.
The bolt was removed and the bird is recovering at the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital.
Red-billed gulls are a protected species under the Wildlife Act.
It is the second time tarāpunga have been shot in recent weeks - two gulls were found with blow darts stuck in them in Waikanae in the last fortnight.
Department of Conservation (DOC) spokesman Bruce McKinlay said the shooting was appalling.
"Though red-billed gulls may seem common, they have a threat classification of Nationally Vulnerable and their numbers are decreasing," he said.
"We want to remind people that our protected and threatened species should not be used for target practice."
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony spokeswoman Philippa Agnew said the shooting was cruel and appealed for anyone with information about the culprit to report it to DOC.
The maximum penalty for disturbing a protected species is a $100,000 fine or two-year prison term.