1.
SV Condor (Long John Silver) in cage (3 shots)
0.11

2.
TILT UP Candor on feet
0.16

3.
GV Condor on perch
0.18

4.
SV Condor moving around (Long John & Miss. MacNasty)
0.21

5.
SV&CU Condors in cage
0.32

6.
SV Miss. MacNasty jumping up in cage
0.42

7.
SV Long John bouncing around
0.50

8.
SV Miss. MacNasty
0.51



Initials ET/1751 ET/1800



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Condors are South American vultures that normally haunt the Andes, building their nests on inaccessible rock ledges at heights of 10 to 16 thousand feet (about 3,000 to 4,800 metres).

In zoos their surroundings are somewhat less elevated, but concern for their welfare is taken seriously by their keepers. So much so in fact that the Bronx Zoo in New York recently made an attempt to find a mate for their aloof lady condor, Miss. MacNasty.

They invited 55-year-old male condor, Long John Silver, normally resident at Milwaukee Zoo, to join Miss. MacNasty in a cosy love-nest, in the hope that the two might enjoy each other's company and eventually produce a baby Condor.

But despite a 14-month courtship, Miss. MacNasty treated her suitor with disdain and Long John ended up spending most of his time sulking behind a clump of bamboo.

So now the rejected Long John is returning to Milwaukee, but the ornithologists at the Bronx say that they have found another male condor in another zoo, who they hope will be more persuasive.