GURUGRAM: A black-necked
stork — the bird that was spotted near Basai wetland in June with a
plastic ring (those hold the cap of beverage bottles) around its beak and rescued after a weeklong struggle from Najafgarh Jheel — has returned to the city.
Some birders claimed to have spotted the stork with a yellow ring on its right foot in the Basai wetland on Friday — the sighting bringing cheers to birdwatchers who were apprehensive about its survival. As per norms, whenever a bird is rescued, it is marked with a ring for identification in future.
“The bird looked quite active and alert. It was feeding normally, along with other birds, and flew away with the painted stork flock,” said Sumit Das, a
birder and
photographer, who lives in Sector 23.
The stork was first spotted by a birder near Basai wetland on June 7 with a plastic ring around its beak. It had been unable to part its beak because of the ring, spending almost a week without eating anything. An eight-member team, including rescuers from the
Bombay Natural History Society,
Nature Conservation Foundation and the district forest department, rescued the bird and removed the plastic ring when it lost strength to fly after a week.
Pankaj Gupta, a conservationist and birder from Delhi Bird Foundation, said, “While the stork was released after proper examination, we were doubtful about its survival. However, as the bird was ringed (as per the international norms), the bird was easily identified. We are glad to know that the bird has survived. Thanks to Sumit Das for spotting it.”
Those involved in the rescue and then rehabilitation of the bird also expressed satisfaction. “I think the bird survived because it had managed to drink water even with the plastic ring around its beak. It shows that the region offers ideal habitat to the species,” said Anil Gandas, a wildlife enthusiast, who recently received a state award for rescuing birds and reptiles in Gurugram.
The sighting bringing cheers to birdwatchers who were apprehensive about its survival.
