Peregrine found with gunshot injuries – police appeal for information

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched an investigation and an appeal for information after a Peregrine was found with gunshot injuries in County Tyrone.

Peregrine Falcon. Photo by Pete Walkden

The Peregrine was found in a garden on Station Road, Strabane on the evening of Friday 9th January 2026. According to an article on the BBC News website, the PSNI said it was found with a leg injury and that ‘the injury was consistent with a bullet wound, which would require specialist treatment‘.

I doubt very much whether it’s a ‘bullet’ injury – it would have taken the bird’s whole leg off – much more likely to have been caused by a shotgun or an air rifle, or perhaps a catapult. Without seeing an x-ray it’s difficult to know.

According to my sources the Peregrine has a broken leg and is currently receiving expert care from an experienced wildlife rehabilitator.