There really is no better place to appreciate wild animals than in their natural habitats.

Earlier today, environmental NGO BirdLife Malta took to social media to share footage of two illegally trapped Eurasian Thick-Knees (tellerita in Maltese) being released back into the wild at the Comino bird sanctuary.

Both birds were confiscated through a joint operation against the illegal trapping of wader birds executed by the Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) of the Malta Police Force and the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA).

Such operations were carried out all throughout summer in the Zejtun and Delimara areas.

Unfortunately, Eurasian Thick-Knees are often sought after “for killing through mostly illegal hunting and trapping,” the NGO said.

“These birds would have served the purpose of acting as decoy birds to assist in the trapping and hunting of other migrating birds,” it continued.

Before the two birds were released back into the wild, they received some much-needed TLC under the guidance of appointed vets.

Let’s hope that this time, they keep flying free for good!