On Sunday 15 June, a patrol from the Villaurbana Forestry Station intervened near the Santa Vittoria dam, in the Ollastra area, following a report from the facility's caretaker who had noticed the presence of a young kestrel that was unable to take flight again.
The Forestry Corps reports that, although the animal showed no obvious trauma or injuries, it was in a vulnerable situation and was exposed to the real risk of predation by foxes and stray dogs.
After assessing the bird's condition, the staff recovered it and transferred it to the "Due Mari" Veterinary Clinic in Oristano, a facility affiliated with the Sardinia Region for the care and treatment of wild fauna. There, the animal will undergo the necessary health checks. Once it regains full flight ability, it can be returned to its natural habitat.
The kestrel is one of the most common diurnal birds of prey in Sardinia. Easily recognizable by its characteristic "holy spirit flight" (also known as "hovering"), during which it hovers motionless in the air, rapidly beating its wings while searching for prey, it plays an important ecological role in naturally controlling the populations of small rodents, reptiles, and large insects, contributing to the balance of agricultural and natural ecosystems.
(Unioneonline/AD)
