UPDATE: Harold the vulture has now been found.
An urgent search was launched for a turkey vulture after it escaped from a zoo in Essex.
The bird, known as Harold, escaped from the Call Of the Wild zoo on Monday and while he has a tracker, staff struggled to find him.
Speaking to the BBC about Harold, headkeeper Sam Pryer said that while he was “lazy” his wingspan meant he could travel for miles would much effort.
After struggling to find Harold with the primary tracker, staff at the zoo near South Woodham Ferrers tried using a different tracker in the hope of having more success.
Harold has been described as a large black vulture with a bald head. Mr Pryer said that his head can either be pink or purple depending on his mood.
If members of the public spot Harold, Mr Pryer said he would like them to call the zoo and avoid approaching him so as not to frighten him off.
Mr Pryer added: “He’s a bit of a wimp and used to being molly-coddled by us. He’s very much used to human interactions and is a popular figure in the zoo as well.”
Mr Pryer has reassured the public that while Harold may look intimidating turkey vultures are harmless birds and only eat animals after they have died.
Express.co.uk has approached the Call Of The Wild Zoo for comment.
