For several days the team prepared the equipment and rehearsed the transplant procedure. “We are always happy to try new and, in this case, old techniques to help our patients and give them the best chance of returning safely to the wild,” said Dr. Rona Nadler-Valency, veterinarian and head of the acclimatization center.

It’s a rarely performed procedure that now gives the bird a good chance of regaining full flight and returning to the wild.

“We hope that soon the bird will improve its flight and accept the transplanted feathers as its own,” said Mai Avrahami. “Our goal is to release the hobby before the end of its natural migration period.”

Amos Belmaker, curator of the bird collection at the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, added: “There has been a long-standing and fruitful collaboration between the museum and the acclimatization center. Anything we can do to help the birds that come here, we do gladly. If our contribution can give this Eurasian Hobby a new chance in the wild, it is worth everything.”

The Hula Valley Wildlife Acclimatization Center is a joint initiative of KKL-JNF and Tel-Hai University and operates under the authorization of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.