The Northwest Raptor & Wildlife Center, the Sequim-based, non-profit wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility, is caring for a small duckling who was shot through the torso by a five-inch metal blow-dart in Port Angeles' Lincoln Park.

Port Angeles resident Brenda Borte reported the injured duckling to the center one week ago. Borte managed to capture the injured duckling when the dart protruding from its chest became entangled in discarded fishing line, immobilizing the bird in the brush surrounding a Lincoln Park pond.

"The dart went straight through the duckling's chest, close to the surface of his skin," said Jaye Moore, Northwest Raptor & Wildlife Center’s executive director.

"He's clearly in pain and undersized compared to his sibling, who we left with their mom. We'll work with our veterinarians at Greywolf Veterinary Hospital in Sequim to treat him and return him quickly to his mother, if possible. We hope that nothing vital was struck by the dart."

Matthew Randazzo, the raptor center's president, said workers at the center are interested in any leads into the identity of those who injured the duckling.

"We believe we have identified the weapon of choice as a Terminator Blowgun,” he said. “We also have received reports of kids and teenagers fishing at Lincoln Park who are intentionally striking ducklings when they cast their fishing lines."

Anyone with tips as to the identity of the person who committed this crime may contact Randazzo at Matthew@NWRaptorCenter.com.

Workers at the center also encourage the community to be watchful when visiting the ponds around Lincoln Park.