Rescuing a Cinnamon Bittern
While driving near my house, a light van that had just passed me struck a Cinnamon Bittern.
It was unable to move on the road, so I took it in. Its condition was poor and I feared the worst, but remarkably, after about 24 hours it had recovered enough to stand on its own. Herons really do have a strong will to live.
For food I used tadpoles of the Yaeyama tree frog, which live in large numbers in the biotope in my garden. Typhoon No. 6 was closing in on Ishigaki Island, so it was a race against time, but I managed to release the bird safely.
An adult male Ryukyu Bittern immediately after being rescued.
After about 24 hours it was able to get up on its own and had started showing wariness toward people. Remarkable vitality!!
A tadpole of the Yaeyama Rhacophorus that became its prey.
Released into a rice field near the rescue site. It flew off, clucking a grumpy-sounding "kok-kok-kok" as it went.
