Rare Serbian Eagle Kidnapped, Rescued and Released into Wild

Serbian wildlife authorities confirmed that a juvenile golden eagle named Feliks was seized shortly after leaving its nest in the country's western region and subsequently transported to the Middle East, where a group of poachers demanded a ransom for its return. The incident, first reported to local law‑enforcement agencies on Monday, triggered an immediate response from the Serbian Ministry of Environmental Protection and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which classified the theft as a violation of both national wildlife protection statutes and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Investigators are coordinating with Interpol and regional law‑enforcement partners to locate the poachers and negotiate the eagle’s release, while also pursuing legal avenues to prosecute those involved in the illegal wildlife trade. Conservation groups have issued alerts urging the public to refrain from any involvement in ransom negotiations and to report suspicious activity. The case remains under active investigation, and officials have pledged to continue efforts to recover Feliks and to strengthen cross‑border cooperation against wildlife trafficking.