Rescued from a net, black kite "Blink" spreads its wings and returns to the mountains in Keelung
A black kite named "Blink," rescued from an illegal bird net in Keelung, successfully recovered after treatment. It was fitted with a tracker and released back into the wild today.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 18:17
- 🔍 Collected: April 22, 2026 at 18:31 (14 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 15:36 (21h 4m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Wang Chao-yu, Keelung, 22nd) The Keelung City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office recently rescued a black kite from a bird net in the Nuannuan mountainous area and named it "Blink" (Zhayan). After receiving treatment and recovering its strength, it was released this afternoon. Initially hesitant in its box, "Blink" then flapped its wings and soared back into nature under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
"Blink" was trapped in an illegal bird net on Nuanshou Mountain. When animal protection personnel received a report and went to remove the net on the 15th, they initially thought all 12 birds caught in the net had died. Suddenly, this black kite blinked, displaying resilient vitality, and was sent to the Raptor Research of Taiwan for treatment.
After nearly a week of care, "Blink" recovered its vitality. When released at the Nuannuan Sports Park in the afternoon, "Blink" initially curled up in the corner of a cardboard box lined with newspapers, seemingly still wary of the outside world. The moment Keelung Animal Protection Director Chen Po-ting pushed aside the newspaper, "Blink" instantly spread its wings, glided low over the grass, and flew towards the distant mountains.
In an interview, Chen Po-ting said that Keelung Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang attaches great importance to the illegal setting of large bird nets by pigeon-napping syndicates and has instructed the police department and the Animal Protection Office to strengthen cooperation. In the future, if large bird nets are found, they will gather evidence with the police on-site and dismantle them completely. According to the Wildlife Conservation Act, illegally setting up bird nets resulting in the death of protected wildlife can carry a maximum penalty of up to 5 years in prison.
Keelung Wild Bird Society board member and Raptor Research volunteer Li Chih-jung stated that after "Blink" was sent to the rescue station, a veterinarian examined it and drew blood, confirming only mild dehydration. To monitor its range and behavior, the Raptor Research fitted "Blink" with a transmitter and attached a metal band and a color band. The transmitter's weight is controlled below 3% to 5% of the kite's body weight, and its battery is estimated to last about 1 year and 6 months.
Independent Keelung City Councilor Chen Kuan-yu pointed out that the city government had previously cooperated with civilian mountaineering teams to establish a "Forest Guard" to clear illegal hunting gear like animal traps and pigeon nets from mountain trails, but it has become largely inactive. The city government should proactively revive and institutionalize its operation, combining local civilian forces to establish a routine inspection and reporting mechanism 1 to 2 times a year to actively clear high-risk illegal hunting gear. (Editor: Hsieh Ya-chu) 1150422
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(CNA Reporter Wang Chao-yu, Keelung, 22nd) The Keelung City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office recently rescued a black kite from a bird net in the Nuannuan mountainous area and named it "Blink" (Zhayan). After receiving treatment and recovering its strength, it was released this afternoon. Initially hesitant in its box, "Blink" then flapped its wings and soared back into nature under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
"Blink" was trapped in an illegal bird net on Nuanshou Mountain. When animal protection personnel received a report and went to remove the net on the 15th, they initially thought all 12 birds caught in the net had died. Suddenly, this black kite blinked, displaying resilient vitality, and was sent to the Raptor Research of Taiwan for treatment.
After nearly a week of care, "Blink" recovered its vitality. When released at the Nuannuan Sports Park in the afternoon, "Blink" initially curled up in the corner of a cardboard box lined with newspapers, seemingly still wary of the outside world. The moment Keelung Animal Protection Director Chen Po-ting pushed aside the newspaper, "Blink" instantly spread its wings, glided low over the grass, and flew towards the distant mountains.
In an interview, Chen Po-ting said that Keelung Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang attaches great importance to the illegal setting of large bird nets by pigeon-napping syndicates and has instructed the police department and the Animal Protection Office to strengthen cooperation. In the future, if large bird nets are found, they will gather evidence with the police on-site and dismantle them completely. According to the Wildlife Conservation Act, illegally setting up bird nets resulting in the death of protected wildlife can carry a maximum penalty of up to 5 years in prison.
Keelung Wild Bird Society board member and Raptor Research volunteer Li Chih-jung stated that after "Blink" was sent to the rescue station, a veterinarian examined it and drew blood, confirming only mild dehydration. To monitor its range and behavior, the Raptor Research fitted "Blink" with a transmitter and attached a metal band and a color band. The transmitter's weight is controlled below 3% to 5% of the kite's body weight, and its battery is estimated to last about 1 year and 6 months.
Independent Keelung City Councilor Chen Kuan-yu pointed out that the city government had previously cooperated with civilian mountaineering teams to establish a "Forest Guard" to clear illegal hunting gear like animal traps and pigeon nets from mountain trails, but it has become largely inactive. The city government should proactively revive and institutionalize its operation, combining local civilian forces to establish a routine inspection and reporting mechanism 1 to 2 times a year to actively clear high-risk illegal hunting gear. (Editor: Hsieh Ya-chu) 1150422
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The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.