A VULTURE on the loose in the Suffolk countryside for over a week is heading back towards his owl sanctuary.Inca, a Turkey Vulture, with a five-foot wingspan, was spotted yesterday morning in Stowupland not far from the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary at Stonham Barns.

A VULTURE on the loose in the Suffolk countryside for over a week is heading back towards his owl sanctuary.

Inca, a Turkey Vulture, with a five-foot wingspan, was spotted yesterday morning in Stowupland not far from the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary at Stonham Barns.

He was blown off course during a training exercise on Tuesday, April 7, and so far he has been sighted close to the Mendlesham mast and in the village of Coddenham.

Staff tracking the bird, who has a bright red face and red legs, said they were relieved he was finally heading back in the right direction, after fears he was edging further away.

Maz Robinson, from the sanctuary, said they have made up a type of trap, normally used to capture birds in the wild, to help catch Inca. “We have had to resort to using this trap,” she said.

“It has little loops and is on a long cord, you attach a piece of food in it and the idea is that the bird lands on the prey and as he is chewing away his toes get stuck in the loops.

“It won't hurt him, it is the kind of traps used to capture birds in the wild.”

She added they are still appealing for positive sightings of Inca, where people can pinpoint his location.

Staff are worried because the two-foot tall creature is a scavenger and not a hunter and they fear he may starve to death. He is likely to try and feed on anything that is dead - including rats, rabbits and roadkill. Inca has been at the sanctuary for 14 years.

Anyone who thinks they may have seen Inca is urged to call the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary on 01449 711425 or 077151 04534.