Seekoeiwater’s Bare-faced Falcon shot with pellet-gun

On Friday afternoon, October 30, the Bare-faced falcon was rescued from a tree after becoming entangled in fishing line.

A worrying discovery was made when x-rays showed that a pellet shot was lodged in its body.

Veterinarian Dr. Nolan Landman confirmed that the falcon also has a broken wing.

Piet Wassenaar, a well-known community and wildlife responder based in Witbank said there is a possibility that the falcon was shot in the Crocodile River area, as residents say he has been nesting in the area for a long time.

Wassenaar, who holds an MTPA permit to work with wild animals, said a specific procedure must be followed when a wild animal causes damage. An official damage permit must be issued before any animal may be put down.

Wassenaar said the fishing line in which the falcon became entangled came from a kite that had gotten stuck in the tree.

The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) has also been informed of the incident and has emphasized that strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty of shooting wild animals.

“It is illegal to fire any firearm, including an air rifle or pellet gun, within a municipal area,” police spokesperson AO David Ratau said.

The falcon will be taken to Birds of Prey in Dullstroom to recover from the broken wing.

Wassenaar said the pellet shot will not be removed, because the operation could lead to the falcon’s death.