Aqzar Raheel 

Ganderbal, May 31(KNZ/TMJ): A youth from north Kashmir’s Baramulla district rescued a rare Himalayan Monal in the Sonamarg area of Ganderbal district and handed it over to wildlife authorities for treatment and protection.

The youth, identified as Sahil Buhroo, said he spotted the bird during the morning hours and found it unable to fly due to an injury to its leg.

“I saw the Himalayan Monal in the morning and rescued it. The bird had suffered an injury to its leg and could not fly. After rescuing it, I contacted the Wildlife Department and handed it over to the concerned officials,” Buhroo said.

The Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus) is a colourful pheasant native to the Himalayan region and is known for the male bird’s iridescent plumage. The species is the national bird of Nepal and is also the state bird of Uttarakhand.

Wildlife officials took custody of the bird and are expected to provide the necessary medical care before deciding on its release into the wild.

The rescue has been hailed by wildlife enthusiasts as an example of responsible public participation in wildlife conservation. Officials have urged people to immediately inform the Wildlife Department whenever they encounter injured or distressed wild animals and birds instead of attempting to keep them in captivity.(KNZ/TMJ)