Wild heron is returned to its habitat after a healing process

Returning wild animals into their natural habitat is a common practice in the Municipality of Porto. This past Thursday, on 1st October, a wild heron was released into its habitat, near the Observatory for Bird Watching, in the banks of the Jardim do Calém.  

The moment was monitored up close by elements of the Official Animal Collection Centre of Porto, by the deputy Mayor of Porto, Filipe Araújo, and by the Recovery Centre of Fauna of the Biological Park of Gaia.

The bird had been captured on the public roadway by elements of the Official Animal Collection Centre of Porto (CROA), on 22nd September, following a warning by a townsman. The heron was taken to the Gaia Biological Park to be treated.

"When it arrived, it was skinny, it did not eat on a voluntary basis and we tried to correct and understand the causes for that behaviour", stated Vanessa Soeiro, veterinary doctor at the Recovery Centre of Fauna of the Biological Park of Gaia.

After being treated, the heron was "clinically stable, started eating by itself and now it is ready to be returned to its natural habitat".

The spot chosen for the release operation was the Jardim do Calém, as it is very close to the Douro Local Natural Reserve. The Veterinary doctor, also enhanced that this is a spot where there are "lots of mullets", which fits the normal diet of herons; also, "it is important to release the bird in an area where the species has been spotted", Vanessa Soeiro advanced.

Before the animal's release, the heron was marked with a closed leg ring, a normal procedure that enables identifying the bird in future missions regarding migrations species studies.