Bird-lovers pray for end to raptor trade

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.