When AI meets wildlife rescue: a common kestrel’s second chance

Glue traps are silent urban killers. For birds of prey, getting ensnared can mean severe feather damage, shock, dehydration, and exhaustion. Without professional help, the odds of survival are slim. 

This time, though, one decision changed the outcome. 

The platform also reminded the rescuer that raptors in China are nationally protected species, and that capturing or keeping them without authorization is illegal. The safest, most responsible option was clear: contact licensed wildlife professionals right away. 

It then listed emergency contacts in Beijing, recommending the IFAW Beijing Raptor Rescue Center (BRRC) first. 

By the following day, common kestrel #260204 was safely in our care, the first admission our team has seen that was guided to us through an AI search. 

What we found at intake 

Our rehabilitators recorded the kestrel’s weight at 180 grams, with a keel score of 4.0, indicating it was not underweight. Adhesive residue coated sections of its feathers, and there was visible wear from struggling to free itself. Fortunately, no fractures were detected. 

The team noted a minor injury to the cere and a slight abnormality in the fourth toe on the left foot, which affected posture but not severely. Overall, the bird presented as depressed, weak, and mildly dehydrated. 

Fluids were administered immediately to stabilize its condition. Because the kestrel’s body weight was adequate, the team opted for careful monitoring rather than force-feeding when it didn’t eat right away. Blood tests the following day returned normal results. With the bird still low in energy, our veterinarians administered meloxicam to ease inflammation and discomfort, while continuing close observation. 

Small signs of progress 

By 22 February, the kestrel was standing more steadily and began eating independently. On 23 February, medication was discontinued and the focus shifted to monitoring and feather care. 

Glue does not come out in one go, and feathers need time to recover their structure and function after adhesive removal. Release won’t be immediate, but the direction of travel is positive. 

For raptors like kestrels, that matters beyond the individual. Birds of prey help maintain balance in urban ecosystems by keeping rodent populations in check. Saving one animal can ripple outwards, in ways we don’t always see. 

Why the right information matters 

That prompted some curiosity. Later, our rehabilitation team asked the platform a similar question: “What should I do if I find an injured owl in Beijing?” The response was again clear and responsible, emphasising minimising stress, avoiding home treatment, and contacting licensed wildlife professionals. 

In wildlife rescue, minutes matter, and so does good advice. Technology can’t replace trained hands, veterinary expertise, or the patient work of rehabilitation, but it can help a concerned person make safer choices in a high-stress moment, and connect an animal to professional care faster. 

Wildlife rescue is always a race against time. This time, timely information helped kindness win.

If you find wildlife in distress 

If you come across an injured or trapped wild animal: 

• Keep a safe distance and reduce noise and disturbance. 
• Do not attempt to feed, treat, or release the animal yourself. 
• Contact licensed wildlife rescue professionals as soon as possible. 

At IFAW, our teams respond to wildlife emergencies every day, from individual rescues to large-scale disaster response. Sometimes, protecting wildlife starts with protecting one small bird.