We have all met someone who fits that description.
Some people might be rude and pushy to other humans, but
when someone directs their venom at animals, they are wrong inside and
out. It seems to sometimes be a
judgment call on the worth of life.
A Mississippi Kite recovering from a gunshot wound in our hospital (photo: Joe Hoffmann)
Recently, a group of kids chose to kick an injured hawk
around like a soccer ball and a kind young man stood up and stopped them. Then,
with the help of his parents, the young man delivered
the bird to the World Bird Sanctuary.
Some people are heroes and some we should call ignorant no matter what
the age.
There are so many cases of animal cruelty that we hear of or
that we experience, but conversely there are a great majority of cases of
people who go out of their way to help animals.
It is illegal to harm or harass any migratory bird according
to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle Protection Act adds more restrictions and penalties
if someone was to injure or kill a Bald or Golden Eagle. Many birds are targeted because
of misconceptions about eagles or owls killing livestock or flying away
carrying someone’s pet. These of
course are myths and legends; not fact.
Raptors might be seen eating a dead animal, but something
else killed it and the bird of prey is just scavenging an easy meal. As far as a threat to your domestic
pets, birds of prey usually hunt the smallest and easiest prey. Cats kill millions of songbirds and
other wildlife each year and feral dogs have
overtaken many wild areas. It is
more likely your pet might be killed by a fox, coyote, raccoon, bobcat, or a
long list of possible culprits.
This week we received a hawk from the St. Louis area that
was shot by someone because they had a small dog. This was a juvenile hawk that was just hatched in the spring
and was starting to hunt. It was only nearby, but these people felt this was
their solution. It is wrong, as well as illegal.
A few months ago we received two Mississippi Kites from the
Affton, MO, area that were shot. They
primarily eat large insects, but the person who shot them thought they might
eat the birds in their yard. No matter what someone’s excuse is, shooting these
raptors is pure ignorance.
One of the reasons World Bird Sanctuary is in existence is
to help change the minds of people about birds and wildlife. We have naturalists available from 8 to
5 almost every day of the year that can answer any question anyone may
have. The information almost
always helps people learn the correct facts about them, and helps dispel myths
and ignorance. Please give us a
visit.
Submitted by Joe Hoffmann, World Bird Sanctuary Hospital
Manager
