Steppe buzzard released after being rescued
The adventures of a steppe buzzard (Buteo vulpinus) had a happy ending after it had been found in the ventilation grille of a delivery vehicle on Tuesday November 23.
- At about 14:00 that day, Nico Swart of McGee Lydenburg saw a driver struggling to remove something from the grille of his vehicle.
He was shocked to see the bird and carefully dislodged it. McGee phoned Neels Bothma, an animal lover and reptile expert, who took the steppe buzzard to the Long Tom Animal Clinic for treatment.
released.
“I was glad to see the bird didn’t have serious injuries, but it was in severe distress. The clinic treats at least two to three birds of prey injured by vehicles every month. We have treated owls and even a vulture. The steppe buzzard is a common species of raptor. It is smaller than the common buzzard, but its tail and wings are longer,” said Dr Anika Danneel, a veterinarian.
The steppe buzzard spent the night at the clinic and was taken to the Dullstroom Bird of Prey Centre the following day.
“Dr Danneel did confirm that the bird didn’t have any fractures, but we decided to keep it a couple of days to assess its condition. It was evident it had some pain response on its left side, and mainly in its left leg. We treated it with some pain medication,” said Frith Douglas, the manager of Dullstroom Bird of Prey Centre.
The steppe buzzard was ringed by JohnDavies of the Endangered Wildlife Trust.
The bird responded well to the treatment and it was released in Dullstroom on Friday November 26.
“We are always thankful that Good Samaritans rescue these distressed or injured birds. Rescue and rehabilitation are part of our focus at the centre. We are overjoyed that the steppe buzzard is flying high and free again,” said Douglas.
