Fleeing Finnish bird caught in Nigeria

Avian influenza H5N1 is a contagious disease of animals caused by virus that mostly infect birds.

An eagle believed to have escaped from a Finnish zoo in Helsinki has been caught in Nigeria's north central state of Taraba, a senior government official said on Tuesday.

- The migratory bird belonging to the wild eagle species was caught a week ago by fishermen in Thatlon village - Taraba State agriculture commissioner Godwin Nyame told AFP on telephone from the state capital Jalingo.

- On examination, a tag was found on its leg bearing ‘Museum Zoo, Helsinki’ indicating that it migrated from Finland - Nyame said.

Fishermen usually set traps for birds that come around to drink water, he said.

After an examination at a government veterinary institute in central Plateau State, it was found that the bird was free of any avian diseases, especially the H5N1 avian influenza A virus, he said.

- So far, the laboratory analysis has shown no evidence that the eagle is carrying avian flu or any other disease - he said.

Avian influenza H5N1 is a contagious disease of animals caused by virus that mostly infect birds.

Nigeria will contact Finland for the repatriation of the bird, he also said.