---
title: "Near Threatened shearwaters found dumped with their throats slit and skulls smashed in New Zealand"
---

# Near Threatened shearwaters found dumped with their throats slit and skulls smashed in New Zealand

The New Zealand NGO [Forest & Bird](http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/) has reported that 14 shearwaters were found mutilated and dumped near Ruakaka in New Zealand in October.  Thirteen [recently categorized Near Threatened](http://www.acap.aq/en/news/latest-news/2646-the-flesh-footed-shearwater-is-now-regarded-as-globally-near-threatened) Flesh-footed Shearwaters A*rdenna carneipes* and one [Near Threatened](http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sooty-shearwater-ardenna-grisea/text) Sooty Shearwater *A. grisea* reportedly had their throats slit, skulls smashed and wings broken.

 “Forest and Bird says the birds may have been caught in a beach-based long line.  The way the birds had been dumped indicated they had been poured out of a fish bin.”

 [![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Flesh_footed/Flesh-footed Sheawater 2 flying Tim Reid s.jpg) ](http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sooty-shearwater-ardenna-grisea/text)

 Flesh-footed Shearwater at sea, photograph by Tim Reid

 Click [here](http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2016/12/dumped-native-seabirds-had-throats-slit-skulls-smashed.html#.WFtoBQndLi4.facebook) for more information.

 *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 04 January 2017*