HONOLULU -- An endangered Hawaiian owl is recovering after being shot with a BB gun.

The Hawaiian Humane Society recovered the indigenous adult short-eared owl, or pueo, in Waianae on July 13.

It was found with a BB pellet imbedded in its left wing. Doctors are hoping people will be more aware of these animals in the wild.

"In this particular case, this is an endangered species; therefore (it is) a little more precious to our community," Veterinarian Douglas Chang said.

It is a federal offense to injure an endangered species.

Once the owl is rehabilitated, it will be tagged and released back into the wild.