In a remarkable conservation success story, a young black kite named Andrea has made a full recovery after being shot and rehabilitated over three months. Found injured in southern Italy near Reggio Calabria on October 3, 2024, Andrea was equipped with a GPS tracker, allowing ornithologists to locate and rescue him swiftly.
After receiving care at the Stretto di Messina Wildlife Recovery Center, Andrea was released back into the wild on January 19, 2025, in the Madonie Regional Park, where other black kites reside. This was his second release; his first took place in July 2023 in the Aspromonte National Park as part of a reintroduction program supported by the European Union.
The LIFE MILVUS project aims to restore the black kite population in southern Calabria, where the species has not nested for decades. Over five to six years, approximately 100 individuals from donor areas are planned for release. In 2024 and 2025, 25 black kites have been released from Switzerland, France, and Basilicata.
These young raptors exhibit significant exploratory movements post-release, returning to the release area where they are expected to nest after reaching two years of age. Andrea traveled around 12,000 km in a year, exploring parts of Sicily and central Italy before being shot in Calabria.
Listed as 'Vulnerable' on Italy's Red List of nesting birds, the black kite plays a crucial ecological role by feeding on carrion, helping to control the spread of pathogens. However, poaching remains a serious threat to this and other raptor species, exacerbated by the use of rodenticides and poisoned baits.
Renato Carullo, Commissioner of the Aspromonte National Park, emphasized the importance of protecting these rare species, which pose no conflict with agricultural activities and contribute significantly to ecological balance.