HUNGARY: Rare Hungarian owl is released back into wild after wing operation

Budapest Zoo released one of the rarest owl species in the region into the forest on Wednesday (September 21) after they had operated on its injured wing. The Eagle Owl nicknamed 'Buboka' after a popular Hungarian cartoon character was found by a passer-by near the northern town of Vac, in May. Veterinarians believe Buboka probably broke his wing after flying against some wire. Veterinarians operated and Buboka recovered well, able to fly again by mid-September. In a joint release project with the Hungarian Ornithology Society Buboka was transported back to near the area where he was found. At the slope of the Naszaly hill about 30kms from Budapest, an ornithology ring was placed on his foot so he could be traced. Buboka was then released in the air from where he flew straight into the nearby forest. The eagle owl. which is the largest owl species, is a protected in Hungary with a nominal value of around 1,000 euros. Many young birds die due to electric shock, or they get run over by cars or killed for their value. Ornithologists hope that with every saved and released bird the number of eagle owls will rise. There are currently only 30 pairs in Hungary. "It belongs to the rarest owl species here so it's very important to cure and release every single one because this bird will now return to nature and mate with another bird, another eagle owl at spring," said Janos Bagyura from the Hungarian Ornithology Society The Budapest Zoo and the Hungarian Ornithologist Society receive hundreds of injured birds every year. Many of the animals cannot be saved or released back into nature. Last year out of the 442 injured birds over 200 were successfully cured and released into their original habitats.

ITN Source | September 23, 2005

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