Birds shot at Feilding aviary

Three youths were involved in the shooting and killing of caged birds at the Kowhai Park Aviary in Feilding last night with some of the incident recorded on a cell phone owned by one of the offenders.


A sulphur-crested cockatoo and a New Zealand wood pigeon (kereru) are dead, as well as a wild muscovy duck that lives at the park, after being shot with a slug pistol.


A small quail in a neighbouring enclosure was also found dead as aviary keepers checked on the wellbeing of the surviving birds. No gunshot wounds were evident on the quail, which is believed to have died of stress.


Feilding police have apprehended two of the youths, aged 14 and 15, and are seeking the third, also aged 14.


Sergeant Terry Gibbons said the youths would be referred to the youth aid section who would decide on whether charges should be laid.


He said police were called to the park at about 7.20pm Tuesday after reports of shooting in the area.


The offenders ran off, but a police dog unit tracked one of the youths into town. A second youth was later questioned and police are now searching for the third offender.


Mr Gibbons said police had possession of a cellphone used to take video footage of some sections of the shooting spree, as well as a .177 slug pistol.


Manawatu District Council Parks and Reserves Manager, Albert James, was sickened by the incident, the first of its type at the aviary since it was opened more than 30 years ago.


“It’s not hunting, it’s not sport, it’s a deliberate, wanton act,” he said. “You get so angry. It’s such a great delight for people to go to the park to see the birds and there’s a real relationship between them.


“And then these idiots come along and destroy it without any conscience at all.”





The cockatoo, which had been at the aviary for about 15 years, was shot three times – once in the head and two in the body. It was still alive when found by aviary staff and taken to the Massey University Veterinary Clinic to be stabilised. Its wounds were too severe, however, and it was euthanised this morning.


The wood pigeon, also shot in the head and body, has been sent to Massey University for an autopsy.


The muscovy duck was one of three that had been living at the park for some time.


“The three of them are well known as they waddle about and are so big they couldn’t fly if they tried,” said Mr James.


He hoped charges would be laid as the shooting was an act of cruelty and the kereru was protected under the Wildlife Act.