Kenya Wildlife Service has in its possession a rare bird believed to have flown from Finland to Kenya covering a distance of over 6,000 kilometres. The bird was fished out of the waters of Lake Kanyaboli in Siaya county in the western Kenya.
The osprey, a fish-eating bird of prey, is believed to have flown a distance of 6,948 kilometres to land at Usalu village in West Yimbo Location of Bondo Sub County, Siaya County.
A resident of the tiny village located along the shores of the oxbow lake, Walter Oloo, is said to have spotted the bird three days earlier.
He reported the discovery to Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) personnel in Siaya County.
The bird’s origin was established from a reference ring on its leg, whose details show that it was ringed in Helsinki, Finland.
It was reportedly caught in a fishing net and had struggled to free itself, according to a press statement released by Paul Odoto, the KWS Communications director on Thursday.
“It has some bruises on the legs but it appears healthy, though it has lost some weight, and is dehydrated,” Mr. Udoto stated.
The bird, according to the KWS statement, was later delivered to the KWS Veterinary Department on Thursday.
“It will be stabilized by administering IV fluids and provided with proper diet, then monitored for a few days before being released back to the wild,” read the statement.
KWS Head of Veterinary Services Dr. David Ndeereh said the agency will share the information with the East Africa Bird Ringing Association to obtain further details on the bird.
Ospreys, scientifically known as Pandion haliaetus, are also referred to as seahawks or river hawks.
