A duck attacked by thugs appears to be stuck with a crossbow around its neck for life, as experts warned trying to remove it could kill it.
Distressing images of the wild mallard at Lake Holmer in Telford, Shropshire, have been shared online with demands for someone to come to its aid.
Horrified RSPCA officials say attempts to rescue the stricken bird, known locally as Barney, are unlikely to be successful and could make matters worse.
The charity condemned the “cruel and callous” attack on the duck, while warning that similar attacks on wildlife are “not uncommon”.
But they were encouraged by the fact that the duck appears to remain mobile and able to fly, as they warned its life could be in danger if they tried to remove the bolt.
Concerns have been raised about a wild mallard with a crossbow stuck in its head.
People visiting Lake Holmer in Telford shared photos of the duck with the RSPCA.
Some have suggested that the duck is the same bird that has been seen paddling around the lake with a crossbow on its head since 2022.
Others speculated that it could be a second bird, basing their suspicions on the bolt’s feathers that had not been seen in previous photographs.
The RSPCA and Cuan Wildlife Center were informed, and an RSPCA inspector was sent to check the welfare of the bird and is confident it is the same.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “It is hard to believe that someone would deliberately carry out such a cruel and callous act.”
‘An RSPCA inspector visited the lake today and spoke to a member of the public who visits the lake daily and it is not believed to be a second duck on the lake that has been attacked in this way, but the same bird as before.
“Obviously it is an extremely distressing sight for people visiting the lake, however we are happy to see that the duck continues to feed and is fully mobile and in full flight.”
Frequent checks on the bird have been carried out in recent months and the public was keeping an “eye on it”, the spokesperson said.
He described the duck as “extremely wary of humans, adding: “As soon as it sees a net it backs away, so our attempts to catch it have been unsuccessful.
“Given he can still fly, attempting a boat rescue is highly unlikely to be successful, so we will continue to monitor the situation with the help of the public.”
Telford Police have previously urged the public: “Please be assured that this duck is safe and sound – do not try to catch it.”
“Wildlife experts have warned that attempts to remove the arrow would likely result in death, so it is being monitored while handling.”
The RSPCA spokesperson added today: “Unfortunately, attacks like this are not uncommon – wildlife are more susceptible to these incidents simply because they are out in the open with no one to protect them.”
One concerned resident had written on a Telford community page on Facebook: “Just came to feed the ducks at Holmer Lake and saw this poor duck. Who do we contact to get him help?”
Comments in response included “Sometimes I hate humans,” “How evil,” and “Whoever did that were animals. I hope they get caught and the poor duck gets the help he needs.”
Another poster wrote: “The wildlife rescue team is already on top of this little guy, there’s nothing they can do and if they do he will die.”
‘If he’s swimming and eating, he’s fine. He’s been like this for a couple of years and has some friends who protect him.’
Last month it was revealed how schoolchildren film themselves killing and torturing wild animals and sharing the gruesome videos on WhatsApp.
Some 500 young people from 11 groups, including primary school students, have shared graphic photos and videos of injured and dead animals killed with portable catapults.
Swans, deer, pigeons, foxes, squirrels, pheasants, rabbits, geese and ducks were among the wildlife photographed and filmed in the disturbing attacks.
Geoff Edmond, the RSPCA’s chief wildlife officer, described catapult killings as an “emerging trend”, saying children were “deliberately and intentionally targeting” the animals “for sport”.
Two “evil” teenage thugs armed with catapults killed four swans and injured at least a dozen more in a savage attack on a rescue sanctuary in Datchet, Berkshire.
One of the boys, aged 13, was found guilty last month of causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals at Maidenhead youth court and given a six-month referral order to a youth offending team.
The charity today urged anyone with information about the crossbow shooting of the Telford duck to call its appeals line on 0300 123 8018.