Vulture and sea eagle die in fire at safari park

An endangered vulture and a white-tailed sea eagle have been killed after a fire tore through their aviaries at a safari park.

Staff at Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling called the emergency services at 8:58pm on Wednesday after the fire broke out in its bird of prey centre.

Fire crews raced to the blaze, which is thought to have been caused by a faulty heating system, from Stirling and Doune and brought it under control by 10pm.

But safari park officials said that one of the park’s giant Rüppell’s Griffon vultures and a white-tailed sea eagle had been killed as the fire destroyed the two aviaries.

Other raptors were successfully moved to other areas of the park. The raptor centre was closed to visitors yesterday but it was expected to reopen today and for the park’s Easter weekend events.