Enlarge image
Falke behind the radiator grille: »Everyone involved was taken aback«
Photo: Police Inspectorate Weiden / dpa
A kestrel has survived a collision with a car.
In the collision, he slipped behind the car's grille - and was then trapped there.
After it was discovered, the bird "looked at everyone involved in amazement from there," the police said on Friday.
Those involved were therefore several police officers and workshop employees from the police station in Weiden in der Oberpfalz, who had asked the driver for help.
The specialist staff removed the radiator grille on Thursday and was thus able to save the young falcon.
taken to the sanctuary
"The bird appeared to be doing relatively well," said a police spokesman.
Officials brought the animal to a sanctuary in Regenstauf in the Regensburg district.
Their leader said the male kestrel may have suffered shock and concussion.
"He hasn't got his head there yet because he hasn't shown any flight behavior and flapped his wings," said Ferdinand Baer from the State Association for Bird Protection.
But the animal is already eating.
It is quite possible that the falcon could be released into the wild in a few days.
wit/dpa