National Aviary Officials Searching For Escaped Vulture
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The search is on for a missing bird from the National Aviary on the North Side.
Although it has been spotted by search teams from the facility, it's in a tree, and trackers are unable to reach it.
According to Aviary officials, a hooded vulture named Kiume flew away during an open-air show on Thursday afternoon.
"While it is rare, on occasion birds do fly off course as part of the free flight shows and outdoor educational programming," said Aviary official Robin Weber.
The vulture has a tracking device, so officials know where it is. They tried to recapture the vulture for several hours on Thursday, but suspended their efforts at nightfall.
Officials were not concerned that the vulture would venture far away because it doesn't fly at night.
The search resumed Friday morning as crews tried to lure the vulture back with food.
"The team is using food to lure the bird, we can't tell you where because it's a sensitive operation," Weber said. "Our team is highly trained and skilled at tracking the bird and retrieving and bringing it back to the aviary."
Officials aren't sure what caused Kiume to fly off course. It could have been a noise or the weather.
Kiume has called the National Aviary home for seven years.
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