Second Hawk Found Shot in San Martin Area

A second red-shouldered hawk was found shot by a pellet gun in the rural community of San Martin this week, but unlike the younger hawk found on March 11, the adult bird had been killed, a wildlife rescue group said.

This isn't the first time a larger bird has been found harmed in recent months. In early March, two people found an injured golden eagle in San Jose, which spent time recovering at the Princevalle Pet Hospital in Gilroy, according to a KTVU article.

The dead hawk was found in a resident's backyard, and wardens from the California Department of Fish and Game are investigating to see who is responsible for shooting the birds, WildRescue authorities said.

The younger bird, which was shot in the chest and may be the child of the hawk found dead this week, has been recovering at the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley. Veterinarians did not remove the pellet from the bird's chest, believing the surgery to be too risky, but its caregivers said the bird has a good chance of making a full recovery.

However, authorities are uncertain whether the bird should be released into its former habitat unless the shooter is apprehended, fearful the younger hawk may be killed as well.

A reward of $5,180 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Anyone with information has been asked to call the Department of Fish and Game at (408) 499-8714.

—Bay City News