LAST UPDATE | 29 Jun 2018
A PEREGRINE FALCON who was rescued by Sligo firefighters earlier this week has died from pre-existing injuries.
Fire personnel came across the falcon on Wednesday. The fire brigade said in a post on Facebook that the bird was stuck on the road because its feathers were affected by melted tar.
The firefighters swaddled the falcon in an official fire department fleece and took it to the Eagles Flying wildlife sanctuary in Ballymote, Co Sligo.
At the sanctuary it was discovered that the animal had suffered from a vent prolapse that was severely infected. It was treated with antibiotics but its injuries were too severe and it died.
Lothar Muschketat of Eagles Flying said the animal’s injuries were natural and it had not been shot or poisoned. He added that while the bird did have tar on its feathers it was not stuck, it was just so weak that it could no longer fly.
“With a wild animal usually it won’t let you pick it up unless it is extremely weak,” Lothar told TheJournal.ie.
Very often it is so weak that it is standing on the platform and waving goodbye.
Sligo City Firefighters said: ”The outcome isn’t always how we would like it but we will never stop trying. Eagles Flying didn’t hesitate to assist and care and they do a lot for our wildlife and protected species please continue to show them your support.”
Eagles Flying is home to more than 100 eagles, hawks, owls falcons and vultures. In total there are more than 450 birds and animals in the centre.
Editorial note: An earlier version of this story was published before it was revealed that the falcon had died.
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