After treatment, a rare glossy ibis was released into the wild in Volgograd, leaving a feather as a farewell token to its rescuers.
Jul 29, 2026 0
The glossy ibis confidently walks in its natural marshy habitat after release.
Source:
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Bird Island / vk.ru
In Volgograd, the story of rescuing a red-listed glossy ibis has concluded. After treatment for a head injury and exhaustion, it was released into its natural habitat.
A small feather left by the glossy ibis as a farewell gift to volunteers.
Residents of the Krasnoarmeysky district noticed the unusual bird wandering aimlessly through the streets. They contacted volunteers, who organized its capture.
Alina Erina, head of the Ptichy Ostrov (Bird Island) wildlife rehabilitation center, said:
It was called different things — some thought it was an ibis, others an albatross. Actually, it’s a young glossy ibis. Our volunteers went to the site several times, but each time the bird disappeared before we arrived. Then yesterday, a caring girl wrote to us. We immediately explained that it was important to catch the bird to help it, and she succeeded! We promptly took it to the center. It turned out to be a juvenile, still very small. Diagnosis: a traumatic brain injury (probably from hitting an obstacle), a bruised shoulder, and a minor eye injury. Most concerning: it was severely dehydrated and on the verge of exhaustion. Those days of wandering around town without water or food clearly took a toll. But the good news is that the injuries are not critical, and its condition is stable. We are now restoring its fluid balance and treating the bruises.
Biologist Victoria Faifer explained that glossy ibises are listed in the Red Book of Russia, but they are often encountered in the Krasnoarmeysky district because they nest near the Sarepta station.
After the course of treatment, the bird fully recovered. A video posted by Alina Erina captures the release moment: the glossy ibis confidently strides into the marshy area, as if it never left. And as a farewell, it left volunteers its feather.
