12 Birds Caught in Illegal Keelung Bird Net; Black Kite Blinks to Show Resilience, Survives
The Keelung Animal Protection Office dismantled a large illegal bird net, rescuing an endangered black kite that miraculously survived among 12 trapped birds.
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- 📰 Published: April 17, 2026 at 19:50
- 🔍 Collected: April 17, 2026 at 20:02 (11 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 22:12 (26h 10m after Collected)
(Central News Agency Reporter Wang Chao-yu, Keelung, 17th) The Keelung City Animal Protection Office recently uncovered a large illegal bird net in the Nuannuan mountainous area, with 12 birds entangled. Among them, a protected black kite was initially thought to be dead, but suddenly blinked at the personnel during cleanup, showing resilient vitality. After treatment, its dehydration has improved.
The Keelung City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office stated through a press release today that on the afternoon of the 15th, they received a report that a large illegal bird net secured with bamboo and rope was set up in a hidden valley in the mountainous area behind the Nuannuan Sports Park. Upon arrival, animal protection personnel found 12 birds hanging on the net. Visually, they initially thought all were dead, but just as they were preparing to take down the net and clean up, a black kite entangled in the net suddenly blinked. Personnel immediately launched a rescue.
According to a report from the Raptor Research Group of Taiwan, this black kite is young, weighing visually about 710 grams. Although dehydrated, its body condition is moderate. After treatment, its spirit is currently stable and it can stand on its own. Although dehydration has improved, it is still weak and will remain with the research group for professional care. As for the other trapped birds, one protected peregrine falcon and 10 pigeons had already died.
The Animal Protection Office pointed out that since it recently coincides with the North Sea spring pigeon race, this large bird net might be a trap set by unscrupulous pigeon-kidnapping syndicates to intercept racing pigeons. To prevent more species from being harmed, they cleared all of this large bird net, which endangers the mountain forest, on the spot.
Chen Po-ting, Director of the Animal Protection Office, stated that setting up bird nets not only seriously damages the natural environment and ecology but also, if illegally capturing protected wild raptors, the offender can be sentenced to up to 5 years in prison according to the "Wildlife Conservation Act." The public must not take chances and break the law. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150417
The Keelung City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office stated through a press release today that on the afternoon of the 15th, they received a report that a large illegal bird net secured with bamboo and rope was set up in a hidden valley in the mountainous area behind the Nuannuan Sports Park. Upon arrival, animal protection personnel found 12 birds hanging on the net. Visually, they initially thought all were dead, but just as they were preparing to take down the net and clean up, a black kite entangled in the net suddenly blinked. Personnel immediately launched a rescue.
According to a report from the Raptor Research Group of Taiwan, this black kite is young, weighing visually about 710 grams. Although dehydrated, its body condition is moderate. After treatment, its spirit is currently stable and it can stand on its own. Although dehydration has improved, it is still weak and will remain with the research group for professional care. As for the other trapped birds, one protected peregrine falcon and 10 pigeons had already died.
The Animal Protection Office pointed out that since it recently coincides with the North Sea spring pigeon race, this large bird net might be a trap set by unscrupulous pigeon-kidnapping syndicates to intercept racing pigeons. To prevent more species from being harmed, they cleared all of this large bird net, which endangers the mountain forest, on the spot.
Chen Po-ting, Director of the Animal Protection Office, stated that setting up bird nets not only seriously damages the natural environment and ecology but also, if illegally capturing protected wild raptors, the offender can be sentenced to up to 5 years in prison according to the "Wildlife Conservation Act." The public must not take chances and break the law. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150417