A man has been charged with animal cruelty offenses in Sydney after several brush turkeys were allegedly shot with an arrow and ball bearings. NSW Police began an investigation after receiving reports of injured native birds in Cremorne, on Sydney's Lower North Shore, between April 2025 and September 2026.
According to reports, the injured birds were taken to a wildlife hospital but all had to be euthanized due to the severity of their injuries. Following an investigation, detectives executed a search warrant at a home on Green Street on Monday. Authorities allege they seized two slingshots and several metal ball bearings from the property.
A 56-year-old man was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged with three counts of recklessly beating and seriously injuring an animal and two counts of possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit. He was granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear in Manly Local Court on November 26.
Brush turkeys are protected native birds under NSW law. Harming or attempting to harm a protected animal is an offense under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Individuals convicted of harming a protected animal can face significant fines, including up to $22,000 plus an additional penalty of up to $2,200 for each animal affected.