News from Carrickmacross
Killanny Buzzard Released Back Into Wild |
by Joe McCabe, Apex News & Public Relations A three-year-old buzzard found in Killanny near death in February has been released successfully back in to the wild in North Monaghan writes Joe McCabe. The buzzard was found by Carrickmacross man Gavin Haughey who now lives in Killanny. Back in Febuary Gavin was out on lands in Killanny with neighbour Martin Birdy when they came across the distressed bird lying on top of a bush. Gavin said: “We thought it was dead and when Martin went to touch the bird the he dug his talons into him. Martin was bleeding for a half an hour.” Gavin and Martin managed to get the bird into their jeep and Gavin kept the bird in a dog pen for a few days. “I contacted Wildlife Ranger Peadar Morgan in Clontibret who came and took him away. I‘m glad to hear that the buzzard made a full recovery and has now been released back into the wild.” Conservation Ranger Peadar Morgan runs the Heritage and Wildlife Educational Centre at Clontibret which is the only wildlife sanctuary in County Monaghan. Peadar said: “The buzzard is a protected species. Gavin found this one close to death. He was completely flightless and suffering from acute malnutrition. He was not injured which suggests that its supply of rabbits was scarce. That seems to be what happens to them in the wild sometimes. Once they become flightless like that they are usually doomed.” Peadar added that that bird of prey like this simply must be 100% fit or they die. After over three months care Peadar decided that it was finally time for the buzzard to be released back in to the wild. But such was the interest in the bird and in his heritage and Wildlife Educational Centre that some very special guests were present in the shadow of the historic Listinny Ring Fort in Clontibret on Sunday last for the big release. |
