Raptor rescued at Vadapalani

CHENNAI: The forest department officials rescued a large Small Indian Kite or the Pariah Kite from the premises of a software company at Vadapalani on Saturday. Officials said the raptor was attacking the office staff for the past two weeks.Forest officials told Express that they received information from the administration staff of the software company located near Vadapalani bus depot that a Kite was flying on their premises and attacking staff causing minor injuries to them.A team of forest officials, along with a few staff members of the company, caught the bird when it was perched on a seven-foot tall wall. “The staff members said that the bird was biting their ears.” The bird would be quarantined for the next two days and released in the forest.Officials said the Pariah Kite or Milvus Migrans Govinda, a raptor found in parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, glides single or in groups over water bodies, slaughter houses or garbage dumps feeding on fishes, earthworms, lizards and mice. “They are opportunist hunters and often die in fire or electrocution as they get attracted to smoke or perch on live electric cables. They can also be found perched atop large trees and building roofs,” said S Davidraj, forest range officer, Velachery.