A north-east campaigner has criticised “human ignorance” after more than a dozen young birds were found dead.
A total of 15 jackdaws were found with wounds to their wings in a Speyside garden after being shot with an airgun.
Just two fledglings survived from the group, although they are suffering from multiple injuries.
Alexis Fleming, who runs an animal sanctuary in Ballindalloch, has been nursing the duo, who have been christened Badger and Bear, for the last two days.
Miss Fleming initially feared the wounds would be terminal, but has seen a remarkable upturn in the health of her feathered patients.
She said: “I received a call from one of my friends to say they had found them. It’s absolutely shocking to think that people just take pot shots at these birds.
“People must think ‘They’re just jackdaws.’ It’s humans thinking they have the right to decide what should live and die. The worst part is that because they were so young it will affect the population in the future.”
The birds were found close to the B9008 road between Tomintoul and Glenlivet. It is understood that other dead birds have been found in the area in recent months.
Miss Fleming has been feeding Bear and Badger by hand at her sanctuary, The Karass, which she runs to provide abandoned pets and farm animals with end-of-life care.
The 37-year-old washed the birds’ wings with salt water and has administered antibiotics to them in an attempt to stave off infection.
Despite being poorly when they arrived at the sanctuary, the pair are now eating well, leading to hopes they may survive the ordeal.
However, Miss Fleming believes their gunshot wounds may mean they are never able to return to the wild.
She added: “They wouldn’t survive on their own. I’m having to hand-feed them myself and they are always wanting more.
“Infection is the biggest danger for them. I’ve spoken to some specialists and they think it’s likely they will end up losing a wing, which is so sad.
“It’s awful to think people were prepared to just leave them to die.”
