Kereru targeted in Otago

Some kereru are being deliberately hurt in Otago and face unnecessary pain and shock as well as months of rehabilitation to learn to fly again, the Department of Conservation (DOC) says.

The wood pigeon are a protected native species and DOC's Project Kereru helps care for about 60 injured birds each year. Some have been hurt deliberately.

"Most kereru come to me with impact injuries from flying into something but when they are deliberately injured. It makes it all the more heartbreaking and totally frustrating," spokeswoman Nik Hurring said.

One bird was brought in recently with a large neck wound after being shot with an air rifle.

"The bird had to have a general anaesthetic and have a large wound on its neck stitched up, then followed four weeks of dealing with a very shocked, traumatised bird, trying to encourage it to eat, supplementary feeding, introducing it into the aviary, and helping it to fly again," Mrs Hurring said.

She said the bird was a lucky one but many kereru that are shot die a slow painful death.

In the last two years, Project Kereru has received more than 120 birds with injuries including broken bones from hitting windows, power lines, fences, and clotheslines or being hit by a vehicle.

- NZPA