Crane Rescue Operation: The KKL-JNF Wildlife Acclimatization Center team at the Agamon Hula (Hula Lake) rescued a young grey crane that was trapped on a fence in an agricultural area in the Galilee, near Kibbutz Gonen. In a delicate and complex rescue operation, the crane was pulled from the fence while injured and exhausted. It was treated, rehabilitated, and released back into the wild – just before the great migration north.
The young crane was found injured after being trapped in an agricultural fence, hanging by its leg, unable to free itself on its own. When it arrived at the clinic, it was discovered that it was unable to stand on its right leg. This is a particularly dangerous situation for long-legged birds that are sensitive to this type of injury.
Birds like cranes suffer from a syndrome called “capture myopathy,” a condition in which there is muscle damage caused by extreme stress that can be fatal. Furthermore, cranes are known to be fearful of human proximity, and the stress they experience often leads to a worsening of their condition or even death. To give him a chance to recover, the crane was given sedatives, fluids, and vitamins to stabilize his condition, while maintaining a treatment environment that was as calm and quiet as possible.
At the acclimatization center, a special insole was made for the bird, which supported its leg and allowed it to stabilize again. At the same time, they provided it with optimal conditions – a safe space, available food, and minimal disturbance, to give it the best chance of recovery.
After a few days, when the crane was able to get back on its feet, the moment came for its release. It was returned to the Agamon area, where its family was expected to be, just before they set off with the rest of the cranes on their annual migration north.
“The war has significantly damaged the habitats in the Galilee and the Golan, and we expect an increase in the number of animals that will need treatment at the Acclimatization Center in the coming months.” says Yaron Charka, KKL-JNF’s chief ornithologist.
Shadi Dabus, inspector of watercourses in the Hula Valley at the Nature and Parks Authority: “I received a report from a traveler about a crane hanging in a net on the fence of an agricultural plot right at the beginning of darkness. Its legs were caught in the fence. I saw that its leg was injured, so I took it to Agamon [Acclimatization Center] for treatment.”
