Project Kereru spokeswoman Nik Hurring, who runs the voluntary conservation project dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of the native pigeon, said a member of the public found the injured bird on the side of a road near Lake Waipori on Tuesday.
The man contacted the Department of Conservation and the bird was given to her to rehabilitate. The injured bird was taken to St Kilda Veterinary Centre for care the next day.
Centre veterinarian Dr Tony Malthus said the wing of the young pigeon was broken and had a pellet from a slug gun in it.
The injured bird was thin, he said.
‘‘The poor thing had probably been lying on the ground for a few days and had just sat there not being able to fly or feed itself.’’
The injuries were inoperable and the bird had to be euthanised, he said.
Doc biodiversity supervisor Amanda Salt, of Dunedin, said the harm the pigeon suffered was ‘‘unacceptable’’.
‘‘It’s just dreadful — it shouldn’t happen.’’
Native pigeons were a protected species under the Wildlife Act and anyone convicted of harming a native pigeon could face a jail term of up to two years and a fine up to $100,000.
Anyone with information on how the pigeon was harmed should call (03) 477-0677.
Mrs Hurring said the shooting was ‘‘appalling’’ and thanked the man for alerting authorities about the injured bird.
