The TikTok catapult killers: Youths target pets and wildlife across Britain for social media fame - as 40 parakeets in London park are shot dead in latest attack

Youths with catapults who killed more than 40 parakeets in a London park have also shot at cats, dogs and even squirrels in the hunt for TikTok fame, it can be revealed today.Gangs of young people with weapons loaded with ammunition such as ball bearings and bolts target and even kill beloved pets, waterbirds and wildlife in London and further afield.Distressing images and footage uploaded to social media show injured and dying animals, many with visible holes from projectiles.Yobs often film their antics, frequently attacking defenceless animals after dark while they are sleeping, and post them for likes and followers, or post photos of themselves brandishing their kills.In Orpington, south-east London, residents have been terrorised by attacks for years, and recently at least 43 parakeets have been killed in just three weeks in a single park in the area.The alleged attackers are said to use a technique known as 'lamping' – shining bright lights at the birds to startle them – before firing catapults at them. Some animals recovered from the area have suffered deep circular wounds and severe fractures consistent with being struck by projectiles.One parakeet was found alive and floating in the park's lake with a huge wound to its chest. Volunteers rushed the injured bird for treatment but it died shortly afterwards. Youths with catapults who killed more than 40 parakeets in Priory Gardens, Orpington, London, in the alleged catapult attacks Orpington has been plagued by people with catapults for years who have targeted everything from birds to beloved pets (Pictured: Cat Simba, struck in the head by a catapult earlier this year) Campaigner Rae Gellel, founder of Greenwich Wildlife Network, posted pictures of an injured swan who later died after being struck in the Orpington area This fox was found dead in a garden in Orpington last year - it had been struck in the head by a ball bearing-type projectileCampaigner Rae Gellel, founder of Greenwich Wildlife Network, told the Daily Mail birds have been found maimed, blinded and in agony since attacks started in 2020.'Obviously 43 birds in a three-week period is pretty severe,' she said. 'But there have been sprees over the past six, seven years. We get several reports a day across south-east London, and this is a UK-wide issue.'She highlighted a previous incident in which five birds were killed in a single day, and ten more injured. 'The reality is even more disturbing than the death toll suggests, because animals are not simply being killed,' she said.'We have seen them horrifically maimed - blinded, left with severe fractures, their beaks shattered so badly they can no longer feed, and dependent young left orphaned after their parents have been killed.'One of these parakeets was rescued floating in the lake with a crater-sized hole in her chest and died shortly after - in horrific pain.'But the Daily Mail can reveal that the parakeets in Priory Gardens are far from the only victims in youths' sights, with social media posts suggesting some are being egged on by adults.Birds from pigeons to swans and geese have all been reported to have been struck by the weapons, as well as squirrels, foxes, cats and dogs.In June, a resident reported her beloved cat Simba had been struck in the head by a projectile from a catapult. 'He is a cared for pet. He now is afraid to leave the house. He moved in with me in lock down, he chose me and he has been loved ever since,' the woman said. Children thought to be as young as eight have posted bragging pictures on TikTok showing them brandishing dead animals and catapults A young boy holds a dead pigeon - the same account contained distressing videos of dying birds The same young boy holds a dying pigeon by the tail feathers as he dangles it from his bike The boy was accompanied by a friend on an electric scooter - the bird was seen twitching before being scooped upIn a separate attack in nearby St Paul's Cray, a pet owner posted on NextDoor after their dog was left without an eye after being struck by a projectile from a catapult.Meanwhile Ms Gellel shared images last summer of a swan and goose who had both seemingly been struck in the head.'Swans, geese, ducks, squirrels, foxes, pigeons, corvids, songbirds, cats - no animal is spared, and for those not killed outright, the injuries inflicted by the solid projectiles, shot with great force, are horrific; shattered bones, lost eyes, jaws blown off,' she said.'A swan at Foots Cray Meadows - a hotspot for attacks on wildlife - died from injuries so horrific that the infection had spread into her bones. Her ribs crumbled under the vet’s hand: she was rotting from the inside.'Her charity has warned that many attacks on wildlife are filmed and posted online for clout and 'oneupmanship' – and although the borough of Greenwich has seen a particular spike in attacks in recent years, the trend is growing nationwide.Ms Gellel said: 'It turns cruelty into content and something to show off to others.'Young people aren't afraid. They've been doing this for years now, they know the laws aren't enforced properly. It's quite frustrating.'There are so many young people who don’t seem to have any empathy, and what that will lead to in later life?'We have pages and pages of crime reference numbers from years of this, but only two or three cases have ever been followed up with any action. In 99 per cent of cases, nothing happens. 'It's like pulling teeth and it really erodes trust. People who go to the park are really passionate about this.'They name all the animals and they've known them for years. It's pretty heartbreaking that they've been calling out for help and no-one's really listening to them.' Accounts on TikTok appear to show children as young as eight killing birds and larger animals, before shamelessly parading through busy streets holding their lifeless bodies.One such video showed a young boy, who appears to be of primary school age, cycling down a residential street while holding a catapult. Seconds later, the camera zooms in on a seemingly dead pigeon on a nearby lawn.Another account posted a picture of two dead pigeons, adding the caption 'What a night out' followed by several fire emojis. Two boys in Orpington spot a cat, with one pausing to target it with a catapult in December 2024 A boy is seen with a catapult in Orpington earlier this year and proceeds to target birds Distressing social media posts showed one child posting pictures of dead birds and captioning it 'what a night out'A particularly distressing clip showed a young boy on a children's bike approaching a bird which is twitching uncontrollably and appears to be dying.Rather than show the animal any compassion, he scoops it up in one hand and, dangling it from the tail feathers, cycles off down the road with it.Other images on his TikTok account show him holding a catapult in one hand and dead birds in the other, while another picture shows him standing over a fire in the woods, knife in hand.Back in London, Greenwich Wildlife Network has repeatedly campaigned against catapult attacks and organised an End Catapult Cruelty protest march through Orpington on March 30.It says it has also staged two demonstrations at Priory Gardens, with its wider campaign against catapult cruelty dating back to at least 2024.Residents continue to report incidents in local groups and pages online. One video shared in a group depicted two teens walking past houses decorated with Christmas lights at night.One boy appears to spot an animal, and bends down, clearly taking aim in the direction of a house with a catapult. Seconds later, a cat sprints across the frame and out of sight. Ms Gellel said TikTok has removed some content, but new videos keep appearing without being taken down.Part of the problem for enforcement agencies is no licence is needed to carry or own catapults. They can be bought online for as little as £15, while 500 ball bearings, advertised on Amazon as catapult or slingshot ammo, can be purchased for £7.99. The weapons are also frequently sold on social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook. Ms Gellel's charity is now supporting a petition to make catapult attacks against animals a standalone criminal offence. So far, it has gained more than 33,000 signatures.Gareth Bacon, the Conservative MP for Orpington, has previously called for catapult sales to be licensed.He has been vocal on the threats to wildlife in the area, and in April addressed reports of 'youths with catapults killing pigeons and their chicks'.A separate parliamentary petition is calling for parents to be made legally responsible for wildlife crimes committed by their children.A Bromley Council spokesperson said: 'There continues to be concern, which is shared by all, at what appears to be the distressing maiming or killing of birds, including most recently parakeets, which we are aware of, with thanks to the vigilance of local residents and the Friends of Parks group.'Clearly we condemn this and are also grateful to the Greenwich Wildlife Network who have helped respond to this and highlighted the issue, not just locally and also further afield as national media reports show, with catapults being reportedly used at points.'This is a police matter and we have been assisting them wherever possible as it is a serious matter, which both the Council and Police have previously highlighted locally as well.'The Met Police and TikTok have been contacted for comment.