Chomp's Release Day

Sunday, 7 October 2007 - Chomp's release day. At last the other Black Kites have returned to site from their northern migration. Chomp has been waiting for this day for a long time. At 08h00 I give him the last meal I would have the privilige of feeding him - a rat that Kath caught on her verandah the day before. Pierre and I watch him enjoying his breakfast - he needs a big one to last him through this important and possibly difficult day. He's out of practice with flying and finding his own food. We're worried that he might not cope. At 10h00 a few people arrive to share the release with us - it was not widely advertised as I didn't want too much activity around him. At 10h10 Pierre opens the cage. We all hide away so Chomp can't see us - waiting for him to leave the cage. Nothing happens! He's just sitting inside, probably not realising that he can go. I go inside, take the little fish that's still lying on his feeding table and put it outside the cage - hoping he would follow it. Nothing happens. After a few minutes, Pierre decides to go inside and chase him out. At last he leaves the cage and I start crying. We all run after him and follow him to a tree a few hundred meters away. He's tired - not used to flying. He sits there, watching us from above. After a few minutes two other Black Kites start circling above him. He joins them. It is a magical moment and everone starts clapping and chearing him on. We watch in awe how the three birds continue to circle around and around the camp. How amazing is that! Congratulations Chomp - you're a champion! We're keeping an eye out for you every day, hoping that you're still in the area. We'll never forget you. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was involved with Chomp : his medical care, his feeding (feeding him when I was on leave and catching food like grasshoppers, fish, snakes, rats, etc for him) and for regular visits and interest in his recovery. Thanks also for all your support - I could not have done it without you all. Also a special thanks to Henk D for taking these beautiful release photographs.