A search is underway for a missing vulture from a local zoo.
In a twist of avian escapades, Harold, the free-spirited turkey vulture, was swept away by a gust of whimsy during a captivating bird display at Call Of the Wild Zoo in Essex on Monday.
Sam Pryer, the zoo’s indefatigable head keeper, chuckled as he described Harold’s penchant for leisure, juxtaposed with his majestic six-foot wingspan, suggesting he could have effortlessly traversed vast distances.
Despite Harold being outfitted with a state-of-the-art tracker, the zoo’s vigilant staff found themselves stymied by the absence of any signal since his unexpected vanishing act. Undeterred, they resolved to deploy an alternative tracking method on Tuesday, suspecting a glitch in the original system.
Painted as a creature of enigmatic allure, Harold was characterized by his imposing stature, jet-black plumage, and a bald crown that morphed in hue according to his mercurial moods—a detail that never failed to captivate visitors.
Pryer, with a twinkle in his eye, cautioned against approaching Harold, citing his skittish disposition, though he fondly admitted Harold’s penchant for being pampered.
“He’s a bit of a softie, used to the doting attention he receives from us,” Pryer confessed, revealing Harold’s endearing familiarity with human company and his status as a cherished denizen of the zoo.
Pryer further assuaged any concerns about Harold’s predatory nature, elucidating that turkey vultures like Harold were benign scavengers, preferring to feast on nature’s leftovers rather than engage in the rigors of the hunt.
“He’s become quite the celebrity around here,” Pryer mused, his words tinged with both pride and amusement at the unexpected turn of events.