A bird of prey was found in a shocking condition after going missing in Bidston yesterday.
The 'Gyr x Saker falcon' was on a job clearing seagulls when he went missing at around 2pm.
A reward was offered for information that could help owner Robert Smith find his bird.
Mr Smith hoped he might be able to find the falcon using his tracking system, but this was removed while the bird of prey was missing.
When Mr Smith finally found the animal, he was horrified to see it had feathers plucked out by cruel thugs.
Find your nearest vaccination centre by entering your postcode below
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
He told the ECHO : "Horrible men have tried to drown him, they've pulled his feathers out of his wings and took the tracking system off of him.
"Pulling out a bird's feathers out is as bad as pulling someone's fingers out.
"I can't believe he turned up like this - I need to get him to the vet."
Saker falcons are an endangered species, they are highly susceptible to avian flu unlike the gyrfalcon - this hybrid species has been made in order to combat this.
