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November 11, 2011

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Rescued raptors released

THREE injured raptors were recently released into the wild after treatment at a raptor rescue center in Beijing.

All the three raptors - an upland buzzard, a common buzzard and a northern hobby - had been illegally fed and suffered emaciation, broken and frayed feathers and severe behavioral problems, said Shang Yugang, a raptor physical therapist. Shang works at the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Beijing Raptor Rescue Center (IFAW BRRC).

The upland buzzard fledgling, which was supposed to inhabit in the open plains in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, was found lying in a small woods in suburban Beijing in July. It was sent to the raptor rescue center.

In October, a drowning northern hobby was saved by swimmers in Beidaihe River, Hebei Province. It had fallen into the river when it was staggering along the bank, trying to drink water.

The common buzzard was released by a firefighter from the tangled branches of a tree near Wangfujin, a popular shopping area in the Chinese capital. Its feet were injured and its right wing seriously frayed.

It is illegal to raise and feed raptors, which are supposed to be under state protection. Private raising of the birds of pray may cause malnutrition, behavioral disorders or death, said Hua Ning, an official with IFAW.

Around 23 percent of the raptors rescued by IFAW BRRC were injured due to illegal feeding.

(IFAW/Shanghai Daily)




 

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