Dr Shabeer Bhoola was left in complete shock after receiving a phone call from the South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre asking for his assistance.

The rehabilitation centre recently called on Bhoola and his expertise to assist and treat a Hadeda Ibis, which was rescued in Bedfordview after it had been shot through the body with an arrow.

This follows shortly after another incident reported by Bedfordview Edenvale News.

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On July 22, the NEWS reported Edenvale SPCA was investigating after seven-month-old Jack Russell puppy Beans was shot in the chest with a pellet gun in the Avenues on July 15.

The SPCA described the incident as a contravention of the Animals Protection Act, urging residents to report animal abuse and remain vigilant.

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Last month, the South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre received a message from Natasha Morgado and Leon de Bruin in Bedfordview about the injured bird.

In the photograph, the bird could be seen with what appeared to be a carbon fibre arrow shaft driven completely through its body.

South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre explained the steps to Morgado de Bruin on how to safely catch and contain the bird, ensuring the arrow shaft did not shift.

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To transport the bird from Bedfordview to the South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre facilities, an Uber was requested.

Bhoola said, “When I saw a photograph of the Hadeda, I honestly thought that it was an artificial intelligence image.

“When the South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre told me that the bird was still alive, I could not believe it!”

Soon after the Hadeda was taken to the South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, it was brought to Terrace Road Veterinary Hospital and handed over to the veterinary team.

Bhoola said the arrow pierced the top of the Hadeda’s right shoulder near its neck and passed diagonally left through its body before exiting near the bird’s groin.

“The fact that the bird survived is unbelievable.”

“It missed the bird’s heart and only slightly punctured the left rear air sac.”

Bhoola said luckily there wasn’t severe bleeding into the air sac to cause significant damage.
While exiting the Hadeda’s body, the arrow fractured the bird’s left leg.

He said if the bird’s leg wasn’t broken, the bird would have most likely been able to fly away and avoid capture.

“If this had occurred, it’s likely the bird would have died because of infection getting into the wound.
Bhoola said in his 15 years as a veterinarian, in addition to helping treat wildlife, it was the first animal he had seen injured by an arrow.

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“You would expect this injury or behaviour in areas with plots, but definitely not in a residential area.

“Many people do hunt, and some grow from regular rifle hunting to bow hunting, and from my understanding, bow hunting requires a lot more skill as it is more challenging.

Although he has not recently treated any animals with pellet gun injuries, Bhoola believes pellet guns have become the go-to tool for getting rid of pests.

He said many people appear to be using them instead of poison; however, it’s creating negative impressions on children who see their parents using them.

Bhoola said another unusual visitor he recently treated was a Spotted Eagle Owl.

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The owl, which was brought to him, was brought for respiratory difficulties.

“That was a complete surprise for me. I was doing an X-ray because I wanted to treat the lungs.

“I took the X-ray, and there were these pellets everywhere. I think there were about three.”

When asked why people would target animals with pellet guns or arrows, Bhoola said, in his opinion, it’s people trying to find some enjoyment.

“When I see some of the animals that I get to treat, like the Spotted Eagle Owl, it is such a privilege.
“I don’t understand why people would hurt animals unnecessarily.”