THREATS AND

CONSERVATION

Rehabilitation cases highlighting the threats to
Australian raptors.

Photographer: Matt Wright

Australian Kestrel chicks illegally taken from the nest then thankfully handed in for rehabilitation rather than be kept as pets or sold.

Unfortunately, the nest site of these chicks could not be ascertained, and so these little falcons were hand raised, allowing hunting instincts to develop naturally with pre-release physical fitness activity in the Peter Spitzer free flight aviary at the Higher Ground Raptor Centre (HGRC). They were released back into the wild at the age that they would normally disperse from their natal area.

Photographer: Peg McDonald

Peregrine Falcon illegally taken from the wild and later confiscated by the authorities.

This adult falcon had been found by members of the public, who were unaware of Australian wildlife laws and the existence of licensed wildlife care and rehabilitation groups. The bird had been kept illegally (though well-intentioned) in an urban home for several months before it was confiscated by state wildlife authorities. 

This bird had hunting and flight abilities intact and after pre-release physical fitness activity over several weeks in the Peter Spitzer free flight aviary was returned to her territory.



Photographer: Peg McDonald

Wedge-tailed eagle illegally taken from the wild and later confiscated by authorities.

This young Wedge-tailed eagle had been found injured, but instead of seeking veterinary attention, the finder had decided to keep the bird illegally, and used jesses around the lower legs (in NSW, use of jesses for restraint is restricted to licenced exhibition facilities only) to prevent escape from captivity. 

The extent of the initial injuries, in addition to the trauma caused by the inappropriate use of jesses, was revealed following confiscation by the authorities. Sadly, the severity of the bird’s injuries resulted in humane euthanasia.

Photographer: Peg McDonald

This Peregrine falcon had been shot by an air rifle or pellet gun. She was radiographed by Dr Charlie Carter at the Southern Highlands Veterinary Centre (SHVC).The damage was thankfully “only” soft tissue and the pellet was allowed to work its way out naturally to avoid further traumatising the area. She was initially extremely emaciated and required intensive care treatment for two weeks.

She was eventually released back where she was found.

Photographer: Mark Kelly (right) Peg McDonald (below)

Wedge-tailed Eagle caught in an illegal steel-jawed rabbit trap baited to carrion-eaters.

This bird had been noted flying with a flock of Yellow-tailed black cockatoos, until she was too weak to fly any longer and fell to the ground from a tree, enabling capture. She had flown with the trap on her foot for at least two weeks. Sadly the damage to her hallux was so severe that the toe required amputation. After going through intensive care and rehabilitation designed to show she could fly at speed and distance, then land and perch without issue, as well as hunt and pull food, she was released back where she was found.

She circled higher and higher above the release site for over 20 mins before catching a thermal and disappearing. A local bird, she was seen and identified by the property owners many months post release.

Photographer: Peg McDonald

This poor Australian kestrel had been shot with a nailgun. He was found, still alive, with a nail completely embedded through his young little skull. He was presented immediately to Southern Highlands Veterinary Centre for treatment and surgery to remove the nail, but sadly did not survive.

Photographer: Peg McDonald