The Regional Director for the Environment stressed the importance of biodiversity and wildlife protection on occasion of the release of a goshawk into the wild; the bird received care and recovered at Pico Wild Birds Recovery Centre.
 
Hernâni Jorge highlighted the fact that the Region "has a permanent and toll-free telephone line for the reporting of environmental occurrences, the SOS Environment line, as well as the network of Wild Birds Recovery Centres. They are primarily intended to provide proper assistance and support the recovery of birds, including terrestrial and marine species, and ensure their safe release into nature."
 
The Regional Director spoke to 3rd and 4th form students attending Pedro Miguel School on the island of Faial, who also accompanied the release of the goshawk. On the occasion, he stressed "the importance of increasing environmental awareness and promoting environmental citizenship, pointing out the role of younger generations and their involvement in nature conservation activities. This will be a decisive contribution to building a more just and sustainable society."
 
The bird now released was found trapped in a fence and injured on a wing by a farmer on March 12. It was then collected and delivered to a team of Nature Watchers that sent it to the Recovery Centre. The bird has now been released near the place where it was rescued.
 
The goshawk is the only daytime bird of prey found in the Azores and one of the most symbolic species of the archipelago.