Psycho bird feared ‘kidnapped’ after attacking dozens of people in city-wide rampage

A buzzard dubbed “Coco”, blamed for around 20 attacks has reportedly been kidnapped after intruders cut fencing, disabled CCTV and sliced into its aviary in a planned raid

A bird of prey suspected of attacking at least 20 people is now feared to have been kidnapped. The wild animal, a buzzard named Coco, was taken last month after wreaking havoc on a neighbourhood throughout March.

Volunteers at a wildlife rescue centre in Belgium were left stunned after a buzzard blamed for a spate of attacks was apparently stolen overnight. The bird, dubbed the “Dinant buzzard” is suspected of around 20 aggressive incidents in Dinant, a tourist town on the River Meuse in the Walloon region of southern Belgium, roughly 20 miles (30km) south of Namur.

It had been taken into care at CREAVES Namur, a specialist wildlife rehabilitation centre based in Temploux on the outskirts of the city of Namur.

However, CREAVES said one or more intruders broke into the site in what it described as a carefully planned raid. The centre’s perimeter fence was cut, the CCTV system was reportedly disabled and the wire mesh of the aviary was sliced open to reach the enclosure where the buzzard was being kept.

The bird, who had been given the nickname “Coco”, had been captured on March 26 by Belgium’s Nature and Forest Department (DNF) using a bal-chatri trap. This is a method designed to restrain birds of prey without causing injury.

It was then transferred to CREAVES Namur for monitoring and veterinary checks, following concerns about public safety in Dinant. Early assessments had suggested the buzzard may have become habituated to humans before the incidents in Dinant.

Moreover, staff indicating that inappropriate, non-professional handling could help explain the unusually aggressive behaviour seen in the wild, La Libre reported. CREAVES Namur said in a statement: “These are serious events.

“Beyond the intrusion, this is a direct attack on a wild animal currently being cared for in a professional setting.” Police are reportedly investigating and inquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible for making Coco disappear.

The centre reportedly said the break-in underlines the need for properly secured, professional facilities both to protect staff and to safeguard wildlife in care. A buzzard is a medium-to-large bird of prey, usually the common buzzard (Buteo buteo), and is now the most widespread raptor in the UK.

Once heavily persecuted and largely confined to the north and west, numbers have recovered dramatically in recent decades and the species can now be found in almost every county.

Buzzards have broad, rounded wings, a short neck and a fanned tail, and their plumage can vary hugely from dark brown to almost creamy white. In flight they are often seen circling high on warm air currents, holding their wings in a shallow “V”.

They are also known for a distinctive, high-pitched call often compared to a cat’s meow. Their diet is highly varied, taking small mammals such as voles and rabbits, birds, earthworms and carrion including roadkill.

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.