Staff fear falconry centre near Bridgnorth may close after £8,200 theft
A falconry centre could be forced to close following a night-time raid in which valuable birds of prey were snatched and another killed.
Thieves targeted the Owl and Falconry Centre, at Shipley, near Bridgnorth, and made off with birds estimated to be worth more than £8,000.
Volunteers at the attraction, which includes a pets corner, have been left devastated. Head keeper Karl Law admits the centre may have to shut. He was the first to arrive on site the morning after the raid to open up for volunteer students.
"It just so happened the students hadn't turned up that day because there had been a problem with their minibus, so we did not find out about the break-in until 10am," he said. "I had decided to feed the farm animals we have on site. Normally when I head up that way all the birds start shouting because they know it is feeding time, but there were no shouts.
"That was when I turned around and saw one of the aviary doors was open. I drove further down the field and noticed some of them had gone."
In total eight birds were taken including a gyrfalcon, a pure saker falcon and a tribred falcon. The three alone are estimated to be worth £7,000.
The thieves also made off with two barn owls and three Bantam chickens. To add to the upset, a volunteer discovered the body of an owl, seemingly killed in a struggle.
The total estimated damage at the site at the rear of Gardenlands Garden and Leisure off Bridgnorth Road is £8,200.
