A wounded heron found by a local resident on Domain Drive in Papamoa on Sunday was too badly wounded to survive.

As a result, the Department of Conservation ranger who picked the bird up decided euthanising the heron would be the most humane outcome, says DOC community ranger Kate Miller.

The wounded white-faced Heron found in Papamoa. Photo: Heather McMillan.

She says this is in line with DOC protocol.

'The white-faced heron, which was found resting on the grass verge, was in poor condition, very skinny, not moving and had a suspected broken wing.”

Heather McMillan, who discovered the bird while walking her dog before breakfast, alerted DOC, who sent senior bio ranger Brad Angus to pick the bird up.

She says she was told the bird could be one of a pair of herons nesting in the roadside trees.

Heather was so concerned for the bird, she waited around for the DOC ranger to come rescue the bird.

Hoping for a good outcome, the news of the bird's demise upset her.

How the bird was injured remains unclear.

'DOC Tauranga works closely with Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (ARCC), a charitable wildlife trust that is made up of local vets, vet nurses, and DOC qualified volunteers,” says Kate.

'The trust attempts to treat and rehabilitate injured and/or juvenile wildlife. Unfortunately the heron in this case was too sick to be given to ARCC to treat.”

Whenever the public discover injured native wildlife they can call ARCC on 07 579 9115 or the DOC Duty Ranger on 0274951597.