Wounded Serbian vulture treated in Israel

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JERUSALEM, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- A vulture from Serbia has been released into the wild after two months of treatment in an Israeli veterinary hospital for gunshot wounds, officials said.

The vulture had been found injured at the Lehavot Habashan kibbutz in northern Israel and was rushed to a veterinary hospital specializing in wild animals for treatment.

A ring tag showed the bird was from Serbia.

Many vultures from southeastern Europe are drawn to Israel's feeding stations and are a common sight for Israeli birdwatchers, Haaretz reported.

The veterinary hospital contacted the Serbian Consulate and Serbian diplomats attended the release of the Serbian "patient" back into the wild Tuesday.

The hospital, run by the Hai Bar Society, an association founded to help the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, says it treats many birds shot by people ignoring the international treaties protecting the animals.