A man has been charged after allegedly throwing a live chicken into the alligator enclosure at a New South Wales zoo.
The chicken is believed to have been killed at Oakvale Wildlife Park in Salt Ash, Port Stephens on January 2, after a man allegedly removed the bird from its coop and threw it into an alligator enclosure.
A 57-year-old man attended Singleton Police Station on January 4, where he was charged with committing an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal.
Oakvale Wildlife Park accused a man and his family of engaging in a “premeditated act of cruelty,” in a statement provided to NBN News.
“They acquired one of Oakvale’s resident silky chickens, Betty White, from one of our chicken exhibits and heartlessly threw her into the alligator enclosure, where she was defenceless and died instantly,” the statement read.
“Betty White was hand-raised at the park and had played a crucial role in our endangered species breeding programme for the Bush Stone Curlew and other species by providing surrogacy to the chicks.”
“Her quiet nature means she would not hesitate to approach a customer for some animal pellets, making her an easy target for a ruthless perpetrator.
“We appreciate the support of the local police area command and the RSPCA for their swift response and ongoing support during this distressing time.
The man was given a court attendance notice and will appear in Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 5 February 2024.
