This has definitely not been a good week for news of human-bird interactions. First, we had the professional golfer who killed a Red-shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus, on a golf course because it was making too much noise. Now, right in my own dear state of Oregon, two teen-agers stand accused of committing a crime against a female nesting Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos, that is so disgusting that it strains human understanding as to how anyone could perpetrate such a disturbing and monstrous act.
The two suspects have been apprehended and are facing Class C felony animal cruelty as well as, it is hoped, other charges, including possibly federal. Every television network in the greater Portland area has been covering the story, as have the major local newspapers, however wider coverage has not been noted. Links to the locally published stories are provided here but with the warning that the crime they recount is truly disturbing at a level beyond what most of us are accustomed to and reading the details is not recommended for those uncomfortable facing the depths of pure malice and, yes, even evil, that is possible on the part of humans toward our fellow creatures.
I share these links here not to be gratuitous but because I hope the wider media will pick up the story and spend a little time asking why such blatant disregard for and cruelty toward our fellow creatures is being increasingly witnessed among our population.
Peace and good bird watching.
