The group said it believed the birds - native to Africa and the Middle East - had appeared in the unlikely location after having escaped from a private collection.

"The species is native to Africa and does not migrate. That’s why we assume that these birds escaped from the captivity of a private collection and are now trying to survive in the wild nature of Georgia'', their social media post said.

The African sacred ibis occupies marshy wetlands and mud flats, both inland and on the coast. They preferably nest on trees in or near water, and as a predatory species feed primarily by day, generally in flocks. This bird is common in Africa and is a migratory one in Sudan. The African sacred ibis was brought to France, Italy, Spain, Taiwan and the United States of America.