A warning has been issued to anyone using Merseyside's greenspaces and beauty spots.
Volunteers of a wildlife group were horrified last month after a gosling was found severely injured from a suspected shot wound. Beverley Williams, from Speke, said she was alerted via social media that an injured gosling had what appeared to be an infected bullet wound in Newsham Park.
Despite being rushed to the vet on June 22, the bird succumbed to its injuries and died several days later due to the infection. Bev, who is a volunteer for the WWR Wings Wildlife and Bird Rescue group said it was “horrific” to see.
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The WWR Wings Wildlife and Bird Rescue group sees volunteers across Merseyside and Cheshire respond to injured birds and wildlife reports. But Bev said she is hearing of more cases where birds are being injured, whether deliberately or due to a family pet.
Urging people to respect their surroundings and wildlife, she told the ECHO: “It’s so sad. Septicaemia had already taken hold (of the gosling), the pellet hole was infected and he died.
“Just a few days later in Spike Island a swan was attacked by an XL Bully off lead and he is currently being treated for very large wounds. We just can’t comprehend why things like this happen.”
The rescue group respond to concerns across Merseyside and Cheshire and they say they are receiving an increasing number of calls regarding injured birds and wildlife. Bev added: “We can’t comprehend it.
“That gosling was lying next to a dead pigeon. I don’t understand, I genuinely have no clue why people would do that. And for the swan to be attacked, we don’t even know if he will be able to fly again which is sad.
“It’s horrific what we see but it’s not often you see something being shot. People need to respect wildlife and their surroundings, they are for everyone. And we are all volunteers as well, it costs us time and money to go out and pick up the pieces.”
More information about the WWR Wings group can be found online here.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police confirmed they are appealing for information after a report of an injured gosling in Newsham Park on Thursday, June 22. Officers received a report that a pellet was found in the baby bird’s wing.
It is an offence to kill, injure or take any wild bird. Inspector Ross Meredith said: "This is a cruel and callous act of violence on a defenceless bird. Geese are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is an offence to kill or injure such birds.
"We are working to trace those responsible, enquiries are on-going and I would like to appeal to the public for information."
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook with reference 23000550118.
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