A yellow-billed kite rescued from a coal pit in Alton, KZN, two weeks ago, has fully recovered from its ordeal and was released on Saturday.

Zululand Observer reports that the bird, nicknamed Navi-track, was rescued by a couple who spotted it on the roadside in Alton.

The rescuers, who wished to remain anonymous, said they immediately knew something was wrong when they saw the bird.

“Once [we] stopped to check on the bird, it tried to get away but couldn’t take flight,” they shared.

The kite was covered in coal – likely from a nearby dam contaminated with coal sludge – dehydrated and close to death.

“We caught him, saw that he was full of coal and tried washing him, with no change. He was very limp, so we took him to the vet.”

The kite was taken to a Richards Bay vet, where it received the necessary care, including activated charcoal, because it had ingested coal.

Navi-track was kept in an outside holding cage and was soon restless and ready to feel his feathers in the wind.

Upon release by Jason Ackerman on Saturday afternoon, the kite was at first reluctant to leave the carrier, but with some gentle persuasion, the magnificent bird took flight.

Watch the kite’s release here: