A black-winged kite found sitting in the road is back in the sky, with a set of eagle eyes watching him go. Field Officer Kamwaza is back on the job after his vision-saving procedure!
Free State, South Africa (01 October 2026) – The Virginia SPCA recently rescued a cranky bird.
On the road between Sasolburg and Hennenman, the SPCA’s Chairperson spotted a Black-Winged Kite sitting calmly next to a small roadkill, with cars passing dangerously close. She made a U-turn, found him still there, and gently scooped him up. He barely protested, and that was a worry.
“He was gently picked up and placed safely in the vehicle. Strangely, for a wild bird, he offered almost no resistance.”
“Back home, he was settled into a small carrier with warmth, darkness and quiet for the night. There were no obvious injuries—his wings appeared intact and his eyes were alert—but his lack of resistance was concerning.”
“And then came morning. When the carrier was opened, Mr Kite suddenly had PLENTY to say about being handled! Exactly what we wanted to see.”
After a good meal and some rest, he was driven back to where he was found and released. And watching it all was Peter!!
Our readers will know Field Assistant Peter Kamwaza. In 18 years at the SPCA, he has safely brought home more animals than anyone can count, and he doesn’t know how to say no when one needs him. When cataracts threatened his sight earlier this year, South Africa rallied and raised his surgery funds in hours, and a team of medical professionals then stepped in to do the operation for free.
In the video, you can see Peter following that kite across the sky until it disappears. The SPCA joked that he can now see as well as the bird.
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