A VULTURE which escaped from an Essex wildlife park was today recaptured by handlers after six days of freedom.Four-year-old Guinevere, a North American black vulture, escaped from the Tropical Wings World of Wildlife in South Woodham Ferrers on Saturday.

A VULTURE which escaped from an Essex wildlife park was today recaptured by handlers after six days of freedom.

Four-year-old Guinevere, a North American black vulture, escaped from the Tropical Wings World of Wildlife in South Woodham Ferrers on Saturday, after flying away during a training session.

The bird - which has a 5ft wing span and stands 2ft 6ins - had spent the past five days and nights touring local villages and roosting on rooftops and in trees.

Handlers recaptured Guinevere after finding her on a low branch in a garden in Wickford - about six miles from the centre.

"She's having health checks at the moment and then we'll be taking her back," said the wildlife centre's conservation manager Lucy Murray.

"I'm a bit tearful at the moment because she has been out for so long. But she seems to be absolutely fine.

"We'll be reuniting her with her mate, Lancelot, shortly. He's been missing her terribly.''

Mrs Murray added: "We had been trying to coax her down to the floor with food.

"But this morning we found her on a low branch in a garden and a handler was able to put a ladder up and grab her. It think she was very tired after being out for so long.''

Wildlife Centre staff said Guinevere was captive bred, fed on carrion and posed no threat to people or pets.