One of the falcons at Rotorua Museum has been injured, and the possibility she was deliberately harmed is not being ruled out.
Three young karearea (New Zealand falcons) were released at the museum earlier this year in the first ever urban release of a threatened species in New Zealand.
On Sunday, volunteers monitoring the falcons noticed the female, Te Rangi Rere I Waho, known affectionately as 'Maureen' after the late Maureen Waaka, was limping and was looking generally unwell.
Staff from Wingspan, the National Bird of Prey Centre, captured her and took her straight to Central City Vets in Rotorua.
Checks have revealed the falcon has a significant abrasion on one of her legs and a smaller abrasion on one of her wings.