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Article: Return of the winged giant; After 170 years, the great bustard is coming back to our countryside.
- Article from:
- Daily Mail (London)
- Article date:
- November 4, 2003
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Solo Syndication Limited. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: ROBIN YAPP
WEIGHING up to two and a half stone, it provided a hearty meal for many a hunter.
The great bustard was such an easy target that it was eaten out of existence in 19th century Britain.
Now, 170 years after it disappeared from the countryside, the world's biggest flying bird is to make a return.
Wildlife campaigners were yesterday given the go-ahead to import great bustard chicks from Russia. Up to 400 will be released on Salisbury Plain over the next decade in an attempt to boost dwindling world numbers.
Until the early 19th century, the bird was a common sight across much of Britain. Thriving in wideopen ...