[va-bird] Albatross tracking

Apologies for the lack of connection to Virginia, but i imagine many folks 
on the list will find this interesting.

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June 22, 2004
This Derby Will Be Won by a Bird
By ERIC DASH

This week, more than 12 young albatrosses will soar into the homestretch of 
what might be called the Big Bird version of the Belmont Stakes, a 
6,000-mile migration from Australia's coastal islands to South Africa, 
complete with celebrity owners, scientific training stables and even online 
betting.

The Conservation Foundation, based in London, proposed holding the race 
last year as a way to observe the migratory patterns of the Tasmanian shy 
albatross while bolstering support for seabird protection. Each of the 18 
birds in competition was selected by Australian government scientists for 
fitness and attitude, outfitted with a transmitter and sponsored by a 
celebrity "owner." Queen Noor of Jordan named her bird the Ancient Mariner, 
after the Coleridge poem. Brian May, former guitarist for Queen, called his 
Rocky.

"This is really the biggest seabird satellite-tracking project the world 
has ever had," said Tim Nevard, a consultant for the foundation and the 
chief race steward.

The information is already being used to chart where the use of long-line 
fishing nets, a growing threat to nearly all albatrosses, might be curbed.
Ladbrokes, the bookmaker, is giving the event the trappings of a Triple 
Crown race. Since the beginning of the race, on April 25, it has been 
accepting wagers on the first albatross to cross the finish line and 
tracking the seabirds at www.Ladbrokes.com/bigbirdrace. So far, more than 
$55,000 has been wagered, and Ladbrokes will donate all proceeds to 
charities involved with albatross conservation.

Five birds remain in the running. Several headed in the wrong direction. 
Rocky barely passed go. The race favorite with initial odds of 20-to-1 is 
now Aphrodite, a leggy female sponsored by Jerry Hall, the former model. 
Though Aphrodite took an early lead by catching a westerly tailwind, she 
was briefly pronounced dead and disqualified when a transmitter malfunction 
caused her to fall off the radar screen.
Aphrodite has since resurfaced. If she wins, all bets will be honored.


---------------------------------------------
Dave Hewitt
Fisheries Science/Crustacean Ecology
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
College of William and Mary
P.O. Box 1346
Gloucester Point, VA  23062
804.684.7643
dhewitt@xxxxxxxx

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