Israeli Vulture Arrested by Saudi Arabia as 'Zionist Spy' - yet another odd bird story

_____________________________________________________________________________

Saudis detain Israeli vulture for being ‘Zionist spy’

By Daniel Tencer
Tuesday, January 4th, 2011
Saudi Arabian authorities have reportedly detained a vulture on suspicion of being an Israeli spy.

According to reports in Middle Eastern media, a vulture discovered near a sheikh's home in the town of Hayel was tagged with the words "Tel Aviv University" and had a GPS transmitter attached to its leg.

For many locals, that was enough to indicate a plot by the Israeli intelligence service Mossad. Saudi newspaper al-Weeam reported that the bird had a "foul odor coming out of its mouth -- proof of a Zionist plot."

But scientists at Tel Aviv University say the bird -- designated "E65" by researchers -- was part of a research project tracking the migrating habits of Middle Eastern vultures. They say seven birds were tagged in Israel in recent years, and some have made their way to Saudi Arabia.

"The subject is receiving great publicity [in Saudi Arabia] and it is important that Saudi authorities understand that it is not true," Ohad Hatzofe of Israel's Nature and Parks Authority said.
. Click Here for more info.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Reciprocal links:
http://HermannHearsay.blogspot.com/(Hermann Area News, Commentary & Discussion)