Wild life staffers spotted a rare dusky eagle owl fledgling at the Taj Mahal and immediately rushed it to the Wildlife Hospital of Wildlife SOS in Agra.

They said the bird would be released back into its natural habitat once it is fit. Efforts are on to locate the nest and place the fledgling back in its nest to reunite it with its family. The bird was spotted surrounded by a group of monkeys and was trying to escape getting injured when the CISF security personnel saw it.

The startled bird was carefully shifted by the Wildlife SOS team in a transport container designed specially for the purpose to the Wildlife SOS hospital where, it was subjected to a thorough clinical examination by Wildlife SOS Veterinary doctors.

Wildlife SOS Senior Veterinarian Dr. S. Ilayaraja said, “The owl is a fledgling and appears to have fallen out of its nest. The bird is currently under shock from the fall and it will be under observation here until we find it fit for release.”

Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder of Wildlife SOS said, “It is great news indeed to know that the Taj Mahal is also home to such rare species of birds such as Dusky eagle owls. Bird watchers in India consider themselves lucky to spot this bird. This species is also one of five most traded species in the illegal wildlife market making it a target for poachers. Just last week another dusky eagle owl fledgling was rescued by Wildlife SOS from poachers who were in the process of chopping off its claws for use in talismans, black magic, traditional medicines etc."

Wildlife SOS Biologist - Baiju Raj said, “We are trying to identify the nest from where the fledgling had fallen so the bird can be returned to its nest and reunited with its family”.

Ram Pratap Singh of the Chambal Safari Lodge and host of world famous Uttar Pradesh bird festival said, “Bird watchers consider it a very lucky sighting to be able to even spot this bird. I am delighted to learn of this bird’s presence near the Taj Mahal.”

The bird is protected under Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Habitat is wooded areas and forest patches, feeds on small mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. Breeding season is from November to April and 2 to 3 eggs are laid with incubation of about 34 days. Lifespan is 20 to 30 years.