'Our friends the Saudis' have released Mossad agent R65(the vulture)

I'm sure you'll all be pleased to hear that 'our friends the Saudis' have released Mossad agent R65. 

But after the vulture had been captured in Saudi Arabia, Prince Bandar bin Saud al Saud, the Saudi nature authority, told Arabic-language news dailies that the bird was not a spy and that there had been been a mixup concerning a tracking device that had been placed on the bird. He also said the bird was a bald eagle.

Prince Bandar scolded local media outlets for what he said was irresponsible reporting, Emirates 24-7 reported.

"Some of the Saudi journalists rushed in carrying the news of this bird for the sake of getting a scoop without checking the information. ... I am not defending Israel, but we need to be clear. ... They [newspapers] should have asked the competent authorities about the bird before publishing such news."

He's not defending Israel? From what? Does he think the bird IS a spy?

Thanks to Carl.