A stork was shot from a church roof in the village of Groß Neuendorf, part of Letschin in eastern Germany, after a passerby noticed the bird had fallen from the structure last Friday, the incident confirmed.
Veterinary examinations revealed two fractures in the bird's wing, and X-rays showed two diabolo pellets from an air gun embedded in the tissue. The stork, believed to be around two years old, underwent surgery the same afternoon and the operation was successful.
An animal welfare organization has filed a criminal complaint over the shooting. The bird is expected to remain in care near Frankfurt (Oder) for several weeks before any release.