How Kebbi fisherman found bird from Germany
Mallam Garba Mairiga is the fisherman, who found the bird that flew in from Animal Research Centre, Germany, which landed in his fishing net in Tunga-Sule, Zaria Kala-Kala, Koko-Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Mairiga said he ran into the bird, tangled in his fishing net, struggling to free itself when he was arranging his net for the day’s catch.
“I was arranging my net inside the river to catch fish, when suddenly the Eagle-like bird came down right inside my net in its desperate move to feed on the fishes I was preparing to catch. That was how the bird got entangled, so I grabbed it,” he said.
He said it was after he returned home that he realized the bird has rings on both legs containing some kind of information.
When contacted, the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Animals husbandries and Fisheries,Dr Usman Shehu, said he had briefed Head of Civil Service, Alh Abubakar IdrisUdu on the new development and that he had in turn briefed the governor.
“The governor directed us to communicate with the German Embassy on the issue and the bird is in good condition,”the Permanent Secretary said.
He commended the fisherman and all those who assisted in bringing the bird to the government.
The Manager, State Livestock Investigation and Breading Center, Dr Yakubu Dominic, while displaying the bird to journalists in Birnin Kebbi, said the bird was quarantined and that samples of blood feces were taken to National Veterinary Research institute (N.V.R.I), Jos, Plateau State for bird flu test.
“The bird has information in the ring tags on the both legs as follows: on the right leg ring is 8/VD/80/VD/8/ VD. The left leg ring is VOGE/ WARTE,HIDDENSEE, GERMANIS and BA- 032096.”
The manager added that the bird belongs to the Eagle family. “You know that, they are carnivorous, they eat flesh. So, we feed it with fish or meat.
“We are not surprised if the bird is from Germany because we had some time ago, received a bird that flew in from Finland,” he said.
He said other countries also have the LIBC where they conduct research on birds which they release to determine the extent of the distance it can travel.
“We have contacted the German Embassy in Nigeria and we are still waiting for their reply.
“I am sure Germany will be happy to hear that, we have one of their research birds in our custody. They will also be surprised to hear that a marked sample bird they released from Germany has landed in Kebbi State.
“We have a global understanding on research and wellbeing of human and animals,” Dominic said.
He called on the people not to consume strange animals seen in their farms or residence, but to report such discoveries to the authorities for appropriate action.
“Many of these types of birds are likely to carry the Bird-flu virus. That is why we quarantined it and sent blood sample to Vom,” Dominic added.