Pilots on alert after giant vulture escapes
20.08.10
Warnings have been issued to Scottish pilots after a giant vulture, which stands 4 feet tall, has a 10-and-a-half foot wingspan and can soar at up to 37,000 feet, went missing earlier this week. The Rueppell's Griffon Vulture was flying in a display in Cumbernauld when it was caught in a gust of wind. Its handlers at the World of Wings centre watched in horror as their star attraction soared high in to the sky and disappeared.
It is feared the seven-year-old female, named Gandalf, could pose a threat to aircraft. David Ritchie, director of the centre, said: ‘These birds can soar higher than any other in the world, and have recorded heights of over 36,000 feet. Gandalf is an absolute monster of a bird with a 10-and-a-half foot wingspan. She poses a genuine threat to planes.’ Air traffic control company NATS has confirmed that pilots taking off and landing at Scottish airports have been warned about the vulture.
World of Wings specialises in promoting the plight of vultures, which are becoming increasingly endangered. Along with other birds, Gandalf was let loose to fly every day for members of the public, to show the birds ‘in their full glory’. She has been the star at the centre since 2006, when she was brought from Africa as part of a breeding programme, until she escaped this week.
Mr Ritchie said: ‘We would warn people not to approach her but to call us or the police. She has no fear of humans and she could give someone a very severe bite. Her beak is designed to tear flesh.’ Scottish airports, the police, the Scottish SPCA, Edinburgh Zoo and Blair Drummond safari park have all been informed.
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