A juvenile Bearded Vulture

A juvenile Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), estimated to be less than a year old, was found in the Pankisi Valley. The bird was severely weakened and unable to fly. 

Radiographs taken at Veterinarium revealed that its stomach contained several stones. The patient also underwent a computed tomography examination at Vet CT, located on the Kakha Bendukidze Campus.

To remove the foreign bodies, Veterinarium’s Chief Veterinarian, Dr. Lasha-Giorgi Japaridze, performed a gastroscopy, successfully extracting the stones from the bird’s stomach. The anesthesia was managed by Dr. Giorgi Makharadze.

The vulture, now named Lukhuma by the person who found it, is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Tbilisi Zoo. Once fully recovered, Lukhuma will be released back into its natural habitat in the Pankisi Valley.