The Adventure of Felix the Eagle: Smugglers Demanded Ransom, Now Returning to Serbia from Lebanon
Just as he learned to fly, Felix, an imperial eagle, experienced an adventure worthy of a Hollywood action blockbuster.
TL;DR
- Felix, a young imperial eagle, was fitted with a satellite transmitter before his first flight.
- He unexpectedly flew towards the Middle East instead of Central Europe and was captured by smugglers.
- A Lebanese organization, in cooperation with Serbian bird protection societies, rescued Felix.
- Smuggling of birds in the Middle East involves various methods, including using birds as decoys.
- Serbian bird protection societies refused to pay ransom and worked towards a rescue and return.
- Donations from social media users helped fund Felix's return and a conservation project in Serbia.
- The imperial eagle population in Serbia has seen a recovery, growing from one pair to 19 pairs in a decade.