Adelaide Koala and Wildlife Hospital reports animals with gunshot wounds once a month

A MURRAY magpie that died last week after being shot is one of a regular stream of animals taken to a wildlife hospital in Adelaide's south-west because of human attacks.

Frankie the Murray magpie died at the Adelaide Koala and Wildlife Hospital this week. He was found in a Lockleys yard after being shot. Picture: Supplied

A MURRAY magpie that died last week after being shot is one of a regular stream of animals taken to a wildlife hospital in Adelaide's south-west because of human attacks.

Adelaide Koala and Wildlife Hospital operations manager Jo Sloan said the bird, which staff named Frankie, was taken to the Plympton hospital on Friday, June 1, after he was found in a Lockleys yard.

He was unable to fly and had difficulty standing up.

An x-ray showing the pellet in Frankie’s shoulder.

Staff found a metal bullet lodged in his shoulder and, after removing it, had hoped he would recover. But when they came in to work on Wednesday, they found he had died overnight.

Mrs Sloan said it was not uncommon for the Anzac Highway hospital to look after birds that had been shot. Noisier species, such as corellas and cockatoos, made up most of those patients.

The hospital saw animals with gunshot wounds about once a month, she said.

“And that’s the ones that don’t die — most of the animals that get shot either bleed to death or are picked up by predators,” Mrs Sloan said. It was “pretty upsetting” to see Frankie “in pain that’s been inflicted by a human”.

Mrs Sloan said the bird may have been shot with either an air rifle or toy gun.

The Environment Department says under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, the maximum penalty for killing a Murray magpie is $2500 or six months’ jail.

Under the Animal Welfare Act, a person who intentionally or recklessly seriously injures or kills an animal, can face fines up to $50,000 or four years’ imprisonment.

Originally published as Adelaide Koala and Wildlife Hospital reports animals with gunshot wounds once a month