Geraldton’s Just Raptors bird rehabilitation centre warns drone users to be cautious of birds when flying

A Geraldton bird rehabilitator has issued a warning to the community’s drone users after helping to nurse an osprey back to health. Pearl was the matriarch of Shark Bay, but was found injured close to her nest near the Telstra tower at the rubbish tip. A shire worker took her to a carer, where Just Raptors’ Janelle Ende was called to help. “Based on her injuries, she looked like she had been really badly winded,” Ms Ende said. “On her left side, she had an indentation on the bottom of her leg which was consistent to a drone blade. “She also had up near her head on her ear another indentation.” Ms Ende had previously treated another bird who was struck by a drone and knew the signs to look for. Pearl had to be hand fed for a few weeks due to her injuries. After a few months of rehabilitation, Pearl has begun to take short flights. However, Ms Ende said the damage to the bird’s air sacs meant she was unable to be released at this stage. At the Just Raptors Birds of Prey Rescue and Rehabilitation facility, Pearl lived in an aviary with fellow osprey Alana, where she was a surrogate mother. The pair will soon be sent to a bird sanctuary in the South West so a bigger aviary in Geraldton can be renovated for their return. Ms Ende said Alana looked likely to be released, but she was unsure if Pearl would be returned home. Ms Ende called for drone users to be more aware of their surroundings, to avoid situations like this in the future. “We all want to be able to get that perfect picture, but don’t fly your drones around the birds,” she said. “They will look at them as a threat, and then they will come in to attack them. “They’re trying to hunt to survive. The last thing they need is a drone to come on in and disturb them while they’re trying to hunt.”