By Isaac Arkoh
Assin Bereku (C/R), Jan 27, GNA – The farming community of Kwame Ankra near Bereku, the capital of the Assin North District erupted into euphoric chaos Saturday morning following the rescuing of a Turkey Science Museum-tagged black kit (eagle or Milvus migrans).
Belonging to the family of Accipitridae (eagles, hawks and vultures), they are known for efficient, long distance, covering 3,300▪4,700 km in three to four weeks, averaging roughly 200 km a day.
During migration, they can fly at high altitude and speed, adapting their speed to wind conditions.
For weeks, the shadowy, mysterious bird had terrorised their flocks, snatching plump local fowls with ruthless precision.
However, victory soared when the legendary hunter of the area, Mr Ebenezer Lativi, struck with deadly accuracy, felling the elusive predator in a heart-pounding showdown that sent cheers echoing through the walls of the community.
However, the 32-year-old hunter’s heroism was short-lived when it was discovered that the mysterious bird was a migratory bird believed to have flown from Brussels, Belgium.
Spotting bloodstains on the nearby leaves, the hunter searched the area and found the bird bleeding profusely, barely alive, with a distinctive metal ring on its leg.
The ring inscribed with “Museum Science, 1000 BRUSSEL,” the website www.ring.ac and the code H220252” clear markers linked the bird t to the Brussels Museum of Natural Sciences’ international bird-ringing programme.
The ring’s foreign markings quickly sparked fear and rumours of a spiritual entity, sowing tension among residents.
Unaware of its scientific origins at first, Mr Lativi described the discovery as “mysterious and unsettling.”
The hunter, haunted by the turn of events, promptly alerted Mr Sylvester Nyarko, the District Chief Executive who responded swiftly, directing that the bird be transported to Bereku, the district capital, for immediate treatment.
Nonetheless, a conservationist, Mr Daniel Konzing, with the Accra’s Sakumono Ramsar Site, weighed in to dispel the myths.
“The Brussels ring is standard scientific tagging with zero spiritual significance,” he explained.
He said Bird ringing, or banding, is a vital global tool where experts fit lightweight, numbered metal rings on birds’ legs to monitor migration routes, lifespans, population trends and environmental threats—all with minimal stress to the animals.
Mr Konzing noted that black kits (Milvus migrans) are long-distance migrants, often traveling thousands of kilometres from Europe to sub-Saharan Africa during winter.
This one’s journey from Belgium underscores the value of such programmes in tracking climate impacts and habitat loss.
As of Saturday evening, the kite which underwent first aid treatment in Bereku, had been transported to Kumasi Zoo for care and further treatment.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey