Passer-by helped

Injured bird of prey rescued by police officers

This injured buzzard was brought to safety by Pinkafeld police officers after an incident on the B50. The bird is now in the game reserve.(Bild: Christian Schulter)

Turbulent scenes unfolded during an animal rescue operation by the police in southern Burgenland. After a collision with a car, an injured bird of prey had to be quickly caught. A courageous pedestrian lent a helping hand.

Two officers from the Pinkafeld police station showed great skill. In an accident with a car on the B50 in Unterschützen, an adult buzzard had sustained serious injuries, but still had enough freedom of movement to escape its rescuers by flapping its wings vigorously.

Buzzard secured
When the frightened bird of prey was caught, a passer-by spontaneously intervened and helped to block the "unlucky bird's" escape route. By joining forces, the police officers finally managed to carefully catch and care for the feathered accident victim.

Bird being nursed back to health
The animal patient was taken by the two inspectors to the Saufuss nature reserve in Minihof-Liebau. Colleague Rudolf Pilz looks after the buzzard in the wildlife enclosure. The police officer has a lot of experience in dealing with injured animals. The bird of prey is already doing much better. "As soon as it is fully recovered, it will return to the wild," announced the caretaker.