actually a vulture crossbread with a do do bird. Very rare.
Posted on 01/30/2007 12:02:34 PM PST by Dysart
Just look for the long neck covered in white feathers.
That, officials say, could be the key to recovering the female African white-backed vulture that escaped from the Dallas Zoo over the weekend.
More than 150 bird-watchers reported sightings of the bird by Monday afternoon -- some coming from Lake Lewisville, Arlington, Mansfield, even Fort Worth -- but none panned out, zoo officials said.
"People are being great," said Susan Eckert, a zoo spokeswoman. "But a lot of the reports are of different birds: red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures and black vultures."
This is the latest of several known escapes in recent years from the Dallas Zoo: a gorilla in 2004, who was fatally shot after injuring three visitors, and a chimpanzee in 2000, who climbed onto power lines after being shot with a tranquilizer dart and was electrocuted.
As for the missing vulture, she came to the zoo in August for "Bird Row," an exhibit opening this year.
But Sunday morning, zoo officials realized that she wasn't in her fenced-in enclosure and must have squeezed out, leaving a male vulture behind.
Workers found her in a heavily wooded part of the zoo. But when they tried to tranquilize her, she flew away and headed south, said Chris Brown, curator of birds at the Dallas Zoo.
Since then, Dallas Zoo officials have asked bird-watchers to call in leads.
"She's a pretty good flier," Brown said. "I don't think she'll come back to the zoo on her own. With her nature, she's probably going to look for open areas -- high spots, telephone polls, buildings, towers -- to roost on and survey the area.
"You can never tell where she'll go."
But they say the animal is not a threat to people or animals that cross her path.
"She's not going to attack anybody or their pets," Brown said. "She'd fly away if anyone came close to her. She's very non-aggressive and only eats dead things."
WANTED:
A female African white-backed vulture who escaped the Dallas Zoo.
She has a black beak, long white neck, grayish body and a short tail. Her wingspan is 4 to 5 feet.
Anyone who thinks they've found her is asked to contact the Dallas Zoo at 214-670-6826 or vulture@dalzoo.org.
Officials ask callers to watch the bird while giving a description, directions and coordinates in case she flies away.
check Congress.
actually a vulture crossbread with a do do bird. Very rare.
Throw a deer carcass in a field. It'll show up.
Check Mayor Laura Miller's office.
"must have squeezed out, leaving a male vulture behind."
Now that, is a bad date.
It might be on the internet or in Iowa having 'conversations.'
Is it running for president posing as a NY senator?
How do they catch a buzzard with a buzz on?After that tranq shot,he is probably sleeping it off under the zoo.That's where my wife looks!
Yeah--you beat me to it. I was just about to chime in with a witty remark about the Dallas City Council. Miller's office will do nicely.
wait, so when does African White-backed Vulture season open again?
damn. I always miss the good stuff.
It is worse than you all think -- The vulture has a presidential exploratory committee! So far the Dallas lawyers are not objecting due to professional courtesy. The only problem may be the vulture may find herself confused with another candidate if she starts wearing pant suits.
You don't think Norv Turner will be the savior of the franchise?
You will have to check with Texas Parks and Wildlife. It might be classified as Exotic. In which case, you only need a valid Hunting License and permission of the land owner.
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