Protected falcon killed after found injured on Maraekākaho farm

The injured falcon before it was taken in by DOC rangers.

A Department of Conservation Hawke's Bay ranger was called out to pick up a shot kārearea — New Zealand falcon — from a farm in Maraekākaho.

The threatened and endemic bird was taken to a Taradale vet, who noted the bird's broken leg and sent it to Massey University where it was euthanised.

Massey pathologist Stuart Hunter says the young female kārearea was healthy and in good body condition when she was shot in the lower left leg.

"The swelling and haemorrhage that accompanied the wound indicate the bird was alive when shot.

"This kind of fracture is very difficult to repair and euthanasia was the most humane option," Stuart says.

DOC Hawke's Bay operations manager Connie Norgate says the death of this bird was unnecessary.

"At no stage should people shoot these birds," she says.

Not only is the kārearea New Zealand's only falcon, it is the nation's most threatened bird of prey, with its population estimated to be at fewer than 8000 birds.

The kārearea is capable of flying at speeds over 100km/hour and catching prey larger than itself.

"Despite their fully protected status, New Zealand falcons are still shot by people, particularly when falcons occasionally kill racing pigeons or chickens. People should make sure they are aware of what animals they can hunt and learn to recognise them to avoid mistakenly hunting protected species," Connie says.