Rescuing a wild bird that is thought to be injured does not necessarily mean that the finder must remove the animal from the site at all costs and immediately subject it to specialised intervention. It is crucial to consult an expert before transporting the bird or taking any drastic action.

Captivity causes immense stress for birds, and in many cases, we may do more harm than good. It is possible that the bird was easier to catch due to a minor injury or that it became lost due to poor nighttime visibility and fog.

A similar situation happened with this Great crested grebe, which was found on a busy road. After the finder sought our advice on our Rehabilitation Centre’s emergency line and ensured there were no signs of injury, the bird was released.