THE disturbing number of attacks on animals has continued with a bush turkey stoned to death near Hastings Street at Noosa.
An elderly couple driving through Noosa Woods on New Year's Day rescued the juvenile bush turkey after a stone attack by four or five youths, who took off in their car.
But the stoning proved too much and the young bird died on the way to the Eumundi Wildlife Refuge.
RSPCA Sunshine Coast Inspector Julia Steley said the free-roaming bird had died from severe trauma.
“It had blood in the abdomen and a puncture to the small intestine,” Ms Steley said.
“But it also had reflux food in its nostril which indicates agony at the time of death.”
The couple who tried to save the injured bird told Wildlife Refuge carer Gill Brownhill they yelled out to the group of youths to stop their violent actions and they sped off in their car
It was reported the teenagers kept up the stoning until the bird had fallen down.
The RSPCA is looking for anyone else who may have witnessed the brutal attack.
The attack follows an incident last year when a koala and her joey were shot near Jimna. The mum died but baby Frodo was lucky to survive thanks to specialist care at the Australian Wildlife Hospital.
Ms Steley said the RSPCA was able to prosecute offenders under the Animal Care Protection Act.
“This is a cruelty offence,” Ms Steley said.
Anyone with information about those who committed the attack can contact the RSPCA on 1300 852 188.
Bush Baby Turkey
