ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Bird TLC Executive Director Laura Atwood says there's no pattern to the birds the avian rehab center in Anchorage has taken in with gunshot wounds this year. They've come from all over the state. The have been six since the year began.

"That total number is not unusual, in 2023 we actually had 9 birds in who were shot," Atwood said. "What's been a little unusual this year is four of those six have come in since August first, so we've had quite a few come in at one time."

The latest patient is a raven, although Atwood said the list of birds which have been shot is long, including eagles and owls. The raven was found inside an unoccupied porcupine enclosure at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Portage. Workers were able to capture the sluggish bird and bring it to Bird TLC's clinic above Potter Marsh where an x-ray determined it had been shot at least three times.

Veterinarian Dr. Jackie Frederickson said the raven is lucky to be alive. It has several broken bones but is resting at the clinic getting food and pain relief. Its wing is in a splint. She called its condition "guarded" and said it will be a few weeks before they can determine how well it will heal.

"The fractures are near the elbow, and he needs to have good range of motion there to fly," she said.

Atwood said birds do sometimes recover but more often they have to be euthanized if they aren't able to fend for themselves in the wild. She said it is illegal to shoot many wild birds in Alaska.

"These birds are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so it is illegal to shoot them. And any cases we get in we report to US Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, and they do follow up," she said.

More than that, Atwood said, it's unethical to shoot birds that are just trying to survive in a world where many of the obstacles they face are human caused. "They're trying their best to get by," she said.