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Eagle Rescued From Poachers in Daring Cross-Border Mission
30 Jun
Summary
- An eagle named Feliks was rescued from illegal wildlife trade.
- Feliks was captured by poachers in Syria and sold across borders.
- A complex rescue involved various groups and even a military plane.
Feliks, a year-old eastern imperial eagle, began his first migratory flight southeast from Serbia in August 2025, fitted with a transmitter. His journey took a dangerous turn when he was captured by poachers in Syria. This incident shed light on the pervasive illegal animal trade.
Feliks was subsequently sold illegally, eventually reaching Lebanon before being resold into Syria. A network of associates facilitated his retrieval, with refugees aiding his border crossing into Lebanon. Obtaining his return to Serbia proved challenging, especially after conflict erupted in Iran in February 2026.
The Serbian army, through its U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, ultimately facilitated Feliks's return to Serbia aboard a military transport plane on June 22, 2026. The eagle is now in quarantine, awaiting a new transmitter and eventual release.
This rescue highlights the ongoing struggle against illegal wildlife trafficking. The eastern imperial eagle, a protected species, has seen population recovery in Serbia thanks to conservation efforts, though dangers like poisoning and electrical cables persist.
