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Article: Tracking Wild Birds And a Deadly Virus; Vet's Work in Cambodia May Hold Clues to Spread of Avian Flu
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- March 9, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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From the front seat of a Land Cruiser, Martin Gilbert peered
through his telescope at the rare, black-headed bustard mostly
obscured by a tussock of grass. He watched as his colleagues in a
white pickup truck inched toward the bird, trying to gingerly direct
it toward a net stretched about 75 yards across the dusty flood
plain.
The stakeout had lasted more than half an hour, and Gilbert's
closely cropped red hair was growing moist in the late afternoon
heat, sweat beading on his brow.
"C'mon, mate," he urged the bird in hushed tones. "You're almost
there."
Suddenly, it scampered into the open.
"Oooh! Oooh!" Gilbert exclaimed. "He's in the net! He's in!"
A globetrotting veterinarian now ...