A vulture takes wing, now on its own

A rare vulture was released into the wilds of Thailand on Thursday, after bird flu fears thwarted plans to send the young bird back to nesting grounds in Mongolia. It was high the end of a high-level and to get the bird to its homeland- a saga involving every one from South Korean diplomats to Thailand's national airline,Thai Airways.

 

The cinereous vulture was released from a cage along with four Himalayan griffon vultures in a mountainous part of northern Thailand near the Myanmar border. After an hour, the four brown-and white Himalayan griffons flew off, leaving the black, cinereous vulture standing alone, stretching its wings. A veterinarian then picked up the vulture and threw it into the air, forcing it to fly off toward a ridge.

 

(The Hindu, 11^th   May 2007)