Despite months of treatment and recovery at a raptor rescue center, one of two black vultures destined to begin life anew in the wild on Sunday was not released as planned because it could not readjust to a natural lifestyle after so long in captivity as a pet.

The two black vultures had been sent to the Beijing Raptor Rescue Center (BRRC) in January and March. The first one was found sick in Shunyi District by a villager and the second was confiscated by police from its "owner".

The birds of prey had been scheduled to return to nature in a remote area of Yanqing. However, only one successfully flew into the sky, the other showed no intention on extending its wings and was brought back to the center for further observation.

The release took place on a mountain in Dazhuangke Village at noon on Sunday.

After choosing an open site, everyone kept quiet waiting for the two large birds to step out of their boxes.

About two minutes later, the larger bird suddenly extended its wings and flew off but the smaller one walked around for 10 minutes but was not interested in leaving.

Shang Yugang who has been taking care of birds at the BRRC facility for three years said the bird will get further rehabilitation.

"He knows he is not ready to return to nature," Shang said. "He may not be able to survive in the wild, even if he can raise himself into the sky."

Shang said the bird had been kept as a pet for three years before it was removed by police.

Shang added that there is another black vulture at the center and that they will be kept together so the institutionalized bird can learn from its peer.

Li Ying, a veterinary nurse who also works for the BRRC, said the bird was very friendly toward people when it first came to the center.

"He treated us like friends but treated other birds like enemies," she said.

Li said the fact that it has been domesticated has caused a lot of problems.

"Rapid urbanization leads to the decrease of suitable habitat for birds and their food. Most of all, many lose their wild nature and cannot survive in the wild because of illegal feeding and trade."

The center, which is funded by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), has rescued around 2,940 birds of prey since it opened in December 2001.

A recent survey shows that 29 percent of them had been illegally fed, which not only harms their health but makes it harder for them to survive in the wild.

He Yong, special assistant to the Asia regional director of the IFAW, said most people who take raptors as pets don't realize how much they are harming the birds of prey.

He said he once participated in an activity to rescue 14 goshawks.

All of the birds had been packed into sock-sized boxes and were on their way to markets when they were found.

"People may think they buy them and feed them because they love the birds but they seldom realize that their behavior is supporting the illegal market and trade," he said, adding that many birds die long before they reach such markets.

(China Daily June 28, 2010)