Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Nov 16/01) - A turkey vulture flew from Inuvik last week on its way to Alberta.

However, this bird did not have to flap its wings even once for the trip. It was flown down free via Canadian North, a move sure to ruffle the feathers of jealous birds everywhere.

David Harry, renewable resource officer for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development in Inuvik, explained the turkey vulture was found nearly dead around Fort McPherson.

"It was found half frozen," Harry said.

When it was found, some crows were pecking at the bird -- kind of an ironic fate for a vulture.

Harry explained turkey vultures are rare in Canada and aren't usually spotted further north than the southern Yukon. Harry said this bird must have gotten lost and not known where to go. The vulture was spotted in Aklavik a few months ago.

This was the first turkey vulture Harry had seen.

Before the bird was flown from Inuvik on Nov. 8, staff were trying hard not to make the vulture too nervous or excited. Not many people were allowed in the room at a time, and the cage was sometimes covered with a tarp.

"Since we got him he's been pretty good. He came to us in a box and we just put him in a cage, and he's come to life quite a bit since he's come out," Harry said.

"He must be nice and warm now, and has got something in its belly."

The vulture was feasting on snowshoe hare and was also given water.

Harry said a biologist examined the bird before it left Inuvik, and that it was good there was nothing coming up around its mouth.

"There's no foam or stuff coming out of its mouth, that'd mean it had parasites," Harry said.

The vulture was taken to Yellowknife first, so it could be examined by a vet, and last Friday was taken to Madden, south of Calgary, Alta.

Harry explained officials there were to make sure the vulture is healthy and would release it to the wild once it was ready.