04/06/2026
*Video contains footage of an injury to an animal. Please don’t watch it if you are sensitive to its content.
Back in November of last year, three of the Central Coasts wildlife rescue groups, Phoenix Wildlife Rescue, WIRES and Wildlife A.R.C Society Inc started receiving notifications about a Brush turkey around the East Gosford area that was injured after being shot with an arrow that was still sticking out of his back.
Time after time, rescuers from all groups spent significant resources trying to catch the poor bird with no luck.
Then, last month, Cathie Stubbs from Wildlife Carers Support and Education, who has previously volunteered in wildlife rescue for many years and has been involved in trying to catch the injured Australian native, was notified by a member of the public, Phillip from East Gosford that the Turkey, Arrowyn as he was affectionately named, had gone into his house and been contained.
He was then transported to the brilliant Somersby Animal Hospital where emergency surgery was done to remove the arrow and treat his significant wound.
The arrow had passed through his back, bypassing major organs and was stopped by his sternum.
After receiving the surgery and stabilising treatment, he was given the all clear to come into care on May 5th.
Our lovely Maddie transported him to one of our experienced carers Sonya.
He was set up in a medium size crate initially to restrict movement while he healed and make administering antibiotics and other medication and packing the wound easier.
He appeared happy and bright despite the ordeal he had been through.
At the end of day 2, Sonya noticed his toes on one foot became floppy and started curling and he had lost his pinch reflex.
After discussing it with our head bird carer Shona, it was believed to likely be a result of nerve damage.
We continued to monitor him closely.
Somersby vets agreed that the trauma was likely the cause, since the hole was so long and passed by many nerves.
Luckily, his foot started to improve by day 10 with anti inflammatory medication and as his body adjusted to no longer carrying the arrow.
Once Arrowyn had finished his medications and had made significant progress, he was taken to Shona’s to be put in a large pre release aviary to see how he went foraging and perching.
He did brilliantly and was absolutely thriving.
Soon, he will go back to the wild where he belongs.
Keep your eyes posted on our page as we will be sure to share a video of his release when the time comes.
We would like to recognise the efforts of the community who helped by continuously reporting on him, Cathie Stubbs, the rescuers from all groups who took the time to try and find and rescue him, Phillip for containing him in his house and most importantly Somersby Animal Hospital.
The costs of Arrowyns surgery and care has been significant and we would like to raise funds to cover this expense for Somersby Animal Hospital.
If you would like to help out and contribute towards the care that Arrowyn received and more wildlife like him in the future will need, please consider making a donation using this link.
https://www.mycause.com.au/charity/68269/PhoenixWildlifeRescue?fbclid=IwRlRTSASLrVxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeIufYmK15iliXLqmK_e9IRzI4ykYsx_6YL7FlDubqYNFmXzeFLx8E4VzWc5w_aem_M3FXP_lodX0pCWOYPb1_og
Every dollar helps.
100 percent of funds raised goes towards the vet costs of animals in our care.
Our team are all volunteers that cover a large amount of caring costs out of our own pockets.
If you would like to learn more about the native Australian Brush turkey, Australian geographic has this great article….
https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/fact-file/australian-brush-turkey-alectura-lathami-2/
Thank you again to the community as a whole for your concern for Arrowyn. Let’s all send positive vibes that he will be healthy enough to be released soon!
Pictures and videos courtesy of S. Faber, S. Gonsalves and P. Rutherford.
