Investigation continues after rider hit by air rifle fire
An investigation continues after a man riding a motorcycle in Pembroke was seriously injured this week by a projectile in use for feral chicken culling.
The Royal Gazette reached out to police today for an update into the incident, in which the pellet from an air rifle struck the rider along Bakery Lane at about 5.20pm on Wednesday.
Darrin Simons, the Commissioner of Police, said yesterday that an approved contractor was using the weapon to target the pest birds in the area when the man was struck.
The 42-year-old victim was in critical condition as of yesterday, after police took the contracted culler into custody and seized the weapon.
Mr Simons said yesterday: “Early indications suggest that this is a tragic accident and there will be a full investigation to establish the facts so an informed determination is made.”
The Gazette contacted police today asking if the man was still in custody or had been charged, and if a file on the incident was being prepared for the Department of Public Prosecutions.
A spokesman responded that this investigation is ongoing and that further updates will be provided “in due course”.
A government spokeswoman told the Gazette today that the man taken into custody was a “longstanding contractor” engaged under the Feral Chicken Management Plan, and not a government employee.
She confirmed that the plan lists air rifles as one way to control Bermuda’s feral chicken population.
The plan, published in February 2025, states that air rifles are “quiet and accurate” and that the preferred pellet grain sizes of 14.3 and 18.1 can deliver “up to 26 ft/lbs of energy”.
The spokeswoman added: “The Department [of Environment and Natural Resources] feral chicken control operations are carried out by one DENR employee and three contractors, who are licensed to use air rifles for culling activities.”
She said that those authorised to use these weapons to control the feral bird population must meet requirements within the Protection of Birds Act 1975 and the Firearms Act 1973 and have “relevant firearms experience, including experience gained through gun clubs, the Bermuda Police Service or the Bermuda Regiment”.
The spokeswoman concluded: “As the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under active police investigation, it would be inappropriate for the department to comment on the incident itself.
“DENR is co-operating with the BPS and will provide information required to assist its investigation.”
The Gazette also asked the Government if the contracted cullers have been ordered to stop using air rifles since the incident, and if the DENR employee was also authorised to use the rifle to exterminate chickens.
Chicken culling, a longstanding practice, was ramped up last year in response to the fast-breeding wild birds, which can act as a reservoir for bird flu along with destroying crops and posing a nuisance to residents.
• To see the Feral Chicken Management Plan in full, seeRelated Media
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