A HUNT was under way today after a vulture with a 5ft wingspan went missing from the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary.

Brad Jones

A HUNT was under way today after a vulture with a 5ft wingspan went missing from the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary.

Inca, who has a bright red face, red beak and red legs, was blown off course from the sanctuary at Stonham Barns on Tuesday.

The turkey vulture, who is a display bird, had been in a neighbouring field since then and efforts had been made to lure him back had been ongoing.

But this morning it emerged the two-foot tall creature had vanished.

Maz Robinson, from the sanctuary, said: “He is not a danger to the public because he is a very nervous bird. He is one of our display birds and is used to people.

“People may find him in their garden as he would want human contact.”

She added: “We have been trying to get him to come back since Tuesday. He will feed on anything that's dead - rats, rabbits, roadkill. He won't hunt for anything.”

Inca has been with the sanctuary for 14 years.

If you have seen him call the newsdesk on 01473 324736, or the sanctuary on 01449 711425 or 07715 104534.