Man charged with animal cruelty after brush turkeys shot in Cremorne

Detectives attached to the North Shore Police Area Command charged a 56-year-old man following a detailed investigation into animal cruelty offences in Cremorne. Police commenced inquiries after members of the public reported finding multiple injured birds in the vicinity of Green Street.

Investigators were told that between April 2025 and September 2026, several brush turkeys were discovered with severe wounds. Community members transported the hurt animals to a wildlife hospital on each occasion, where veterinarians were forced to euthanise them due to the extent of their injuries.

Police established that the birds appeared to have been targeted with an arrow and metal ball bearings. Following extensive inquiries, local detectives executed a search warrant at a residential address on Green Street at approximately 7.30am on Monday, November 2, 2026.

During the search of the property, officers allegedly located and seized two slingshots alongside a number of metal ball bearings. The resident was arrested at the scene and transported to Chatswood Police Station for processing.

Police formally charged the man with three counts of recklessly beating and seriously injuring an animal. He was additionally charged with two counts of possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit.

Brush turkeys are protected native animals that have rebuilt their populations across the lower north shore in recent decades. Their presence often creates friction with local gardeners when males rake mulch and soil into large incubation mounds.

Environmental authorities advise residents dealing with property disruption to use humane deterrents like river gravel or secure food waste containers. The accused man was granted conditional bail to appear before Manly Local Court on Thursday, November 26, 2026.