FLYING HIGH: Black-Chested Buzzard Eagle Released Into Wild After Being Injured By Rubber Bullet

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This is the moment a black-chested buzzard eagle is released back into the wild after it was found injured in a vacant lot having apparently been hit by a rubber bullet.

The majestic black-chested buzzard eagle can be seen flying off after it was released from its cage.

The images also show the bird being cared for by staff during its rehabilitation process after it was rescued and taken to Mundo Marino.

Picture shows the black-chested eagle (Geranoaetus melanoleucus ) in San Clemente del Tuyu, Argentina, on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. It was found unable to fly by a local resident in early July, 2022, after almost 3 months of rehabilitation, it was reinserted into its natural habitat. (Mundo Marino/Newsflash)

Mundo Marino, the largest aquarium in Argentina, located in San Clemente del Tuyu, said in a statement on Friday, 30th September: “The animal had been found in a vacant lot in San Clemente in early July with an injury to one of its wings and was taken to the terrestrial animal rehabilitation area of ​​the Mundo Marino Educational Park.

“It is believed that it was hit by a rubber bullet.”

The statement also said: “After almost three months of rehabilitation, a black-chested eagle (Geranoaetus melanoleucus ) was able to be reinserted into its natural habitat, this Wednesday, 28th September, in a rural area near the Rincon Nature Reserve of Ajo, north of San Clemente.

Picture shows the black-chested eagle (Geranoaetus melanoleucus ) in San Clemente del Tuyu, Argentina, on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. It was found unable to fly by a local resident in early July, 2022, after almost 3 months of rehabilitation, it was reinserted into its natural habitat. (Mundo Marino/Newsflash)

“The bird of prey had been found in early July on a vacant lot in that coastal town by a local resident who, noticing that it had a damaged wing and that it could not fly, brought it to the El Niego institution, in the town of Las Toninas, which specialises in birds of prey, for evaluation and assistance.”

Mauro Andres Pergazere, a veterinarian at the Mundo Marino Educational Park, said: “When she arrived we observed that her right wing was down. For her examination, she was anaesthetised by inhalation, with the aim of generating the least possible stress in the animal during the examination.

“Thus we were able to take blood samples and perform a general clinical examination that included cardiac, respiratory and nutritional status. It also allowed us to check its eyes, beak and claws.”

Picture shows the black-chested eagle (Geranoaetus melanoleucus ) in San Clemente del Tuyu, Argentina, on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. It was found unable to fly by a local resident in early July, 2022, after almost 3 months of rehabilitation, it was reinserted into its natural habitat. (Mundo Marino/Newsflash)

He added: “During the clinical examination we were able to do a detailed review of his bones and joints. We did not detect the presence of fractures, which coincided with the results of the X-ray that had been done at the El Niego institution.

“We concluded that the injury was focused at the muscular level, so we assume that the fall of the right wing and the inability to take flight were linked to an external factor, compatible with a blow caused, possibly by a rubber band projectile.”

And Andrea Cabrera, Vice-President of the Mundo Marino Foundation, said: “For us it is very important that the rehabilitation work we do not only with marine animals, but with many species of terrestrial animals is known as well. Both the Park and the Foundation have a team of highly trained professionals to care for various species of animals that need help.

Staff members treat the black-chested eagle ( Geranoaetus melanoleucus ) in San Clemente del Tuyu, Argentina, on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. It was found unable to fly by a local resident in early July, 2022, after almost 3 months of rehabilitation, it was reinserted into its natural habitat. (Mundo Marino/Newsflash)

“Unfortunately, in all the years that we have carried out this rescue and rehabilitation work, we can affirm that the origin of most of the problems that affect all the species with which we have contact is anthropic, that is, they are directly or indirectly related to human activities.”

The bird of prey can be found throughout South America, from Argentina to Venezuela. It typically eats guinea pigs, ferrets, skunks and carrion, according to Mundo Marino.

(T4/ends)