Agra, Apr 20 (IANS): An injured greater flamingo was rescued by Wildlife SOS & the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department from Arsena village in Agra. The bird received treatment at the Wildlife SOS Hospital and was later released back in the protected wetlands of Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary in the presence of Forest Department officials.

Earlier this week, Forest Department officials at the Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary received information about a large injured bird that was spotted in Arsena village located near the sanctuary premises. The bird identified as a juvenile greater flamingo was brought to Wildlife SOS Animal Hospital by the forest officials for urgent medical treatment.

Dr. Ilayaraja, Deputy Director Veterinary Services for Wildlife SOS, said, "A detailed examination revealed that the bird had scratch wounds on both wings. We provided all the necessary treatment and later released the bird in the presence of the forest department officials. It was reassuring to observe that the flamingo started feeding in the water immediately upon release."

Kartick Satyanarayan, CEO of Wildlife SOS, said, "Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and Wildlife SOS shared a common goal. We wanted the bird to be successfully released in the wild and therefore, identified a resident flock of flamingos in Keetham Wetlands. Greater flamingos are the largest & most widespread flamingo species & they live in flocks called colonies to protect individual birds from predators. Parent flamingos produce a red colour crop milk, in their digestive tracts and regurgitate it to feed their young."

Yogesh Singh, RFO, Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, said, "As soon as we received information about the Flamingo, we deployed a team to bring the bird to Wildlife SOS hospital for treatment. Upon recovery, we released the bird inside the protected wetlands of Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary."