Alicante, Spain – The Guardia Civil has rescued a large adult griffon vulture trapped inside an empty swimming pool in the rural area of Ibi, Alicante.

The bird was found disoriented and unable to fly. A patrol from Seprona responded quickly after a call from the property owner, whose child had spotted the vulture standing on a toy at the bottom of the pool, which contained about five centimeters of water.

Equipped with protective gear, the officers safely removed the bird while minimizing its stress and preventing injury.

The vulture, showing signs of weakness but no visible wounds, was taken to the Santa Faz Wildlife Recovery Center for veterinary evaluation.

Authorities believe the animal may have gone into shock following an accidental fall while flying over the area.

The rescue team noted the bird’s significant wingspan and its likely good health, pending further assessment.

Santa Faz, operated by the Valencian regional environment ministry, is now overseeing the bird’s care and will determine when it can return to the wild.

The griffon vulture is listed under special protection in Spain. While not classified as endangered, its scavenging role is crucial for ecosystem balance.

The Guardia Civil reminds the public not to handle injured or disoriented wildlife. They urge people to contact professionals like Seprona to ensure both human and animal safety.

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