An endangered bird has been sent back to the wild on Hallasan Mountain after it was rescued and rehabilitated. The common kestrel was discovered last month... dehydrated and caught in a spider web. The bird underwent rehabilitation and has now returned to its natural habitat. Suejin Choi has more.


[slug]
Natural Monument 323 ‘Common Kestrel’

At 35 centimeters tall, with piercing eyes and razor-sharp claws… the Common Kestrel is an endangered species designated as Korea’s Natural Monument No. 323.

[slug]
Found caught in spider web, dehydrated

The top predator of Hallasan Mountain... was found last month dehydrated and caught in a spider web near Suweolbong (수월봉) Peak, Gosan-ri (고산리). With its wings tangled in the web, the bird had not been able to eat… and became dehydrated.

With health check-ups completed and all measurements recorded… the Center finished its preparations to release the rehabilitated bird back to the wild.

The kestrel was then carefully transported to its natural habitat.

[CAMERA]
Kim Yong-min

And as if it had been waiting for this moment, the bird spread its wings and soared into the sky.

The Common Kestrel, Natural Monument No. 323, is a bird of prey that belongs to the falcon family. They feed on mice and sparrows but are rarely seen in Jeju.

[INTERVIEW]
Kang Chang-wan / Korean Assn. for Bird Protection, Jeju
Generally speaking, they breed well in Korea. But in Jeju, the reproductive rate of these birds is very low and sightings are rare. We only see one or two pairs a year.
[인터뷰 강창완 / 한국조류보호협회 제주도지회장]
"우리나라는 전체적으로 많이 번식합니다. 그렇지만 제주에는
번식률이 많이 뒤떨어져서 1년에 한 두쌍 정도만 관찰됩니다.”

[REPORTER]
Suejin Choi

The Jeju Wild Animal Rescue Center will make follow-up observations to make sure the released kestrel has fully adapted to life back in the wild.

Suejin Choi, KCTV.