Endangered bird of prey rescued from severe storms in Spain's Jávea

Officers attended the property to secure the bird, identified in initial assessments as an Egyptian vulture. The police then alerted the regional environment department's wildlife recovery services to arrange for the bird to be collected, assessed, and rehabilitated.

Town council sources confirmed the vulture is fitted with a yellow leg ring displaying the code C41, indicating it is part of a scientific tracking and monitoring program.

If the identification is confirmed, the rescue marks a positive outcome during a period of adverse weather. The Egyptian vulture is classified as vulnerable on Spain's National Catalogue of Threatened Species and listed as endangered in the country's Red Data Book of Birds.

The migratory species, which breeds in Europe before wintering in sub-Saharan Africa, has suffered a severe population decline in recent decades due to poisoning, electrocution on power lines, and human persecution.

The incident occurred during a bout of stormy weather in the coastal town, which caused fallen branches and minor tree damage, though local authorities reported no severe structural impacts.