Vulture Accused of Being a Spy

Today's Animal Oddity is the griffon vulture that was detained by officials in Saudi Arabia as an Israeli spy. I know this sounds like something out of the Onion or SNL, but it seems to be true.

The vulture is part of a long term migration study by biologists in Tel Aviv, who fitted it with the GPS device to monitor its movement. This is a standard technique used in wildlife research. The unfortunate vulture made the mistake of flying into Saudi Arabia, where it was captured and discovered to be wearing the GPS unit.

Conspiracy theories are now flying, with many Saudis accusing the Israelis of sending the vulture as a spy. The bird is still being held. Last month, Egypt accused Israel of sending a killer shark to plague its beaches. I honestly can't believe they are blaming Israel. I mean, clearly these events have Dr. Evil written all over them.

You can read more odd animal news, behaviors and discoveries on my blog, Animal Oddities.

Vulture photo by Gwendolen Tee via Flickr Creative Commons.

 

 

 

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Comments

[Andreas Moser]

04:34 PM on 01/08/2011

If this is symptomatic for Saudi thinking, you don’t have to wonder why no Nobel Prize has ever been awarded to a Saudi (while 9 Nobel Prizes have gone to Israel). But it rather adds to my worries about what will happen with Saudi Arabia once the oil reserves will have been depleted: http://andreasmoser.wordpress.com/2011/01/05/it-was-the-mossad-2/

[ejreed]

04:09 PM on 01/07/2011

It's a tough job but something has got to do it....
Saudis Detain Bird As Israeli Spy
Israeli scientists are calling for the release of a vulture "detained" in Saudi Arabia on suspicion of being an Israeli sp
http://www.newslook.com/videos...