Vulture goes awol from Scottish rescue centre

Search on for African white-backed escapee

By Lester Haines • Get more from this author

Posted in Biology, 9th October 2007 12:09 GMT

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An African white-backed vulture decided last Saturday that he didn't much like his digs at Aberdeenshire's, ahem, 2wit 2woo rescue centre and showed staff a clean pair of claws during a feeding session.

According to the BBC, "Wee Man" hasn't been seen since, and staff fear for the wellbeing of the bird. The beastie, who boasts an eight-foot wingspan, can go for around a week without nosh but will probably be finding it tough to locate suitable carrion.

Owner Jeff Downie said: "He's quite a friendly bird but will be quite scared. He was flying for his food when he got away. It's very unfortunate."

Although Downie assured that Wee Man is not an "attacking bird", he "could nip anyone who approached him"* with his six-inch beak. Accordingly, any reader who spots the three-foot-tall bird sporting "dark body with white neck and back" is advised to report the sighting on 01466 793186. ®