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Bird Struck With Arrow Still Too Fast For Rescuers

Posted: 11:41 am EDT July 11, 2006Updated: 6:07 pm EDT July 11, 2006

Animal Control in Volusia County is still trying to capture an elusive injured bird in Holly Hill. Someone shot an arrow into the bird this weekend. The shaft of the arrow went straight through the bird, yet the ibis survived.


SLIDESHOW: Arrow-Pierced Bird Evades Rescuers

The arrow doesn't seem to have any effect on the bird, other than a nuisance. He was around a retention pond near 10th Street in Holly Hill on Tuesday.

The little bird has had bird catchers running in circles. It's hard to believe the little bird is still alive after being completely impaled by the arrow, let alone flying, and generally making life hard for the bird catchers.

"He's just elusive. We're having a hard time getting close to him," bird rescuer Bob Hunt said.

The juvenile ibis has made himself at home around the retention pond and he's become somewhat of a neighborhood hero, the paragon of perseverance.

"I saw it in the newspaper and I wanted to come down and check it out," said eyewitness Taylor Thomas.

Thomas and his mother had to come out and see the bird for themselves. Thomas said he kind of looks up to the ibis, figuratively and literally.

"I bet ya he could live through anything," the young boy said.

The arrow went in through the upper chest, right under the neck, and out the other side. Animal experts said it must have missed every vital organ for the bird to be still alive. And, despite the size of the arrow and its precarious position, the arrow isn't slowing the bird down.

"It is very unusual that he has adapted so well," Hunt said. All he can do is wait watch and wait.

When the ibis lands, he creeps up with his net. He's hoping to tire the bird out. But, so far, it has been the other way around.

"It's the only option I have, to get close to him and capture him," Hunt said.

Authorities still do not know who shot the bird and why. The bird catchers will be out again Wednesday, hoping for better luck.

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