SAN DIEGO -- San Diego County Animal Control officers found a seagull in Ocean Beach Thursday morning alive with an arrow in its head, 10News reported.

10News obtained pictures that show a 4-inch arrow shot directly into the head of the Western gull. An X-ray showed the arrow spanning more than the length of the bird's skull. Authorities said if the arrow was aimed a little higher, the gull would have been killed.

The arrow has since been removed, and the gull is now safe and expected to survive. It underwent surgery at San Diego's Project Wildlife.

"I think humans are the worst predator a lot of these animals face," said Gina Taylor, of Project Wildlife.

Taylor showed 10News Project Wildlife's "wall of shame," a display of hardware removed from local seabirds.

This is the second time in a month a bird has been rescued after having been shot with arrows from a crossbow.

A duck was found recently with several arrows, some measuring 8 inches in length.

However, Lt. Eugene Cikanek of the county's Department of Animal Services said he does not believe the same person is responsible for both shootings.

"The distance was pretty far. The other one was in Chollas Lake; this one was near the beach. I don't think it was the same people," said Cikanek.

A $3,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible in the gull shooting.