Peregrine Falcon Shot in Watsonville Dies

A peregine falcon shot on Thanksgiving Day in Watsonville was euthanized Thursday, authorities said.

The bird was likely shot by a pellet gun, suffering two fractures in its shoulder, according to wildlife advocates.

Its injuries were too severe for it to recover, according to Rebecca Dmytryk, of the animal aid group WildRescue.

The wounded bird was found in a residential area not far from the Watsonville Airport that evening, according to Dmytryk.

The bird of prey was taken for treatment to the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley in San Jose, Dmytryk said.

A week later, the organization decided to euthanize the bird; it had suffered an entry wound in its chest and an exit wound in its back, probably from a pellet gun, Dmytryk said.

The state Department of Fish and Game is leading an investigation into the bird shooting, according to Dmytryk.

WildRescue has been able to offer a $1,000 reward for information about the shooting of the falcon. The peregrine falcon was once on the federal list of endangered and threatened species, but was removed in 1999, according to the website of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

--Bay City News contributed to this report