Protected hawks shot in 2 separate incidents, SD Humane Society says

Two hawks were admitted to the San Diego Humane Society's Project Wildlife program after being shot, officials said Tuesday.

One of the patients was a red-shouldered hawk, who was shot with two pellets and diagnosed with lead poisoning. While under anesthesia for treatment of its wounds, the red-shouldered hawk passed away, according to the SDHS.

The other patient was a red-tailed hawk who arrived with a single gunshot wound and was sent to orthopedic surgery.

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, raptors are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and other federal and state laws. Harming these protected birds without legal authorization is prohibited.

The red-tailed hawk arrived on Sept. 10 after being found in Indio and first taken to the Desert Wildlife Center for triage. The red-shouldered hawk was found on the ground, unable to fly, in San Diego's Encanto neighborhood on Sept. 22, the Humane Society reported.

The cases of the two hawks are believed to be unrelated.

The two hawks' conditions underscore the severe dangers gunfire poses to protected birds of prey and the importance of community coexistence, officials said.

Hawks and other birds of prey play an important role in healthy ecosystems, including helping control rodent populations.

"Hawks should be able to soar over our neighborhoods without becoming targets," said Alexis Wohl, DVM, CWR, wildlife veterinary manager for SDHS's Project Wildlife program. "Coexisting with wildlife entails finding human solutions to concerns, not inflicting injuries on animals that belong in our environment."

For more information about coexisting with wildlife, visit here.