Resident offers R1 000 reward for information on mother eagle shooting
A reward is being offered for anyone with information on who shot and killed a mother crowned eagle in Hillcrest.
A PINETOWN resident, Bruce Edwards, has offered a reward to anyone who can assist with useful information that can lead to the prosecution of the person responsible for shooting a crowned eagle.
The killing of the mother eagle, who was part of the Upper Highway community, caused an outcry among residents.
The eagle was found hidden on Saturday, August 12 under dense vegetation in a garden on Shortlands Road after the tracker showed unusual and intense activity in an area not close to the nest.
The teams searched for her for five days before she was found.
Also read: Nature lovers mourn the senseless killing of mother eagle
The Raptor Rescue staff cared for her for a few days as they explored the extent of the injury and tried to understand the cause. An x-ray revealed metal shards embedded in her, and the nature of the large hole almost certainly indicated that the eagle was shot by most likely a .22 rifle.
Despite all efforts and an initial improvement, the infection caused necrosis in the muscle and bone at the femur break. On August 17, this mother eagle breathed her last breath,
Edwards said he was upset and angered to read in the Highway Mail of the shooting of the crowned eagle and its subsequent death.
“I do think it likely that someone would have either heard or seen the shot being fired, or otherwise have knowledge of the shooter.
“As such, I would like to make an offer to contribute R1 000 towards a reward for either the successful prosecution of the person responsible for the shooting, or the positive and reliable identification of that person. If you would be so kind as to make my offer (and any others that may come in) known, I would be grateful,” said the resident.
The Hillcrest Conservancy also appealed to all residents to assist by watching out for our precious wildlife and reporting anyone who threatens any species.
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