Just after midnight on Thursday, the conservation group Bird Alliance of Oregon reported that the wildlife center had been vandalized. The Northwest Portland facility was destroyed by the vandal, who broke into two outdoor enclosures and killed a bird.
According to the group, nine birds were released during the vandalism. They weren’t prepared for release and were being treated for a variety of conditions, including spine damage from a window accident.
According to the group, one of the birds—an American kestrel—was killed, most likely by a predator.
In a social media post on Friday morning, the Bird Alliance described the alleged vandalism in detail, including surveillance footage showing the potential culprit moving around with a rucksack and brandishing what appears to be a whip.
According to Travis Koons, director of the organization’s Wildlife Care Center, the four American kestrels, three northern flickers, and an American crow that were released have not returned to the center. Since the majority were young and still needed to learn how to hunt independently, Koons stated that their chances of surviving are slim.
According to Koons, it’s truly devastating for the volunteers and staff. For the Wildlife Care Center alone, we have 170 volunteers.
It does feel like a violation, he continued. It is challenging: People must feel comfortable, and our animals must undoubtedly remain safe during the rehabilitation process.
Police and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are investigating the incident in collaboration with the Bird Alliance. The group is requesting that anyone with information regarding the break-in or the potential sale of birds that resemble the ones that were released get in touch with the police.
According to Koons, the Bird Alliance will need to think about making further investments to improve security. He noted that the Wildlife Care Center’s operations and the treatment of ill and injured animals are mostly dependent on donations.
According to Koons, the center has been providing care for nearly 4,000 animals since January and is currently actively treating 205 of them.
For The Oregonian/OregonLive, Kimberly Cortez reports on breaking news, public safety, and other topics. Her email address is kcortez@oregonian.com.
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Break-in, vandalism at Bird Alliance of Oregon’s wildlife center leads to at least 1 bird’s death
Break-in, vandalism at Bird Alliance of Oregon’s wildlife center leads to at least 1 bird’s death
Break-in, vandalism at Bird Alliance of Oregon’s wildlife center leads to at least 1 bird’s death