Griffon vulture delays flight takeoff at Heraklion Airport
A griffon vulture caused a flight delay at Heraklion Airport on the Greek island of Crete after landing on the wing of an aircraft prepared for takeoff. The pilot discovered the bird and notified the control tower, but the animal refused to move even when the aircraft's control surfaces were operated.
Airport firefighters responded to the scene, using a ladder, gloves, and a jacket to safely capture the bird. Firefighter Antonis Petrakis noted that the animal remained completely calm during the process. The vulture has been handed over to specialists for examination.
Crete is a significant habitat for the species, with research from the University of Crete indicating there are approximately 140 breeding pairs of griffon vultures on the island.
Entities
Antonis Petrakis · Crete · Heraklion Airport · University of Crete
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Crete is home to approximately 140 breeding pairs of griffon vultures. www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Firefighter Antonis Petrakis described the incident as an unprecedented event where the animal remained completely calm. www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The vulture was handed over to specialists for examination. www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The pilot attempted to move the bird by operating the aircraft's control surfaces, but the vulture remained on the wing. www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Airport firefighters used a ladder, gloves, and a jacket to capture the bird. www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] A griffon vulture landed on the wing of a plane prepared for takeoff at Heraklion Airport in Crete. www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de