Concern growing for missing eagle

Mara dislodged a transmitter pack allowing her to be tracked

The owners of a missing African Snake Eagle are appealing for people to be on the lookout for the bird.

Mara, who has a 5ft 6in (1.68m) wingspan, disappeared after a display at the Autumn Show and Game Fair in Ardingly, West Sussex, on 1 October.

Her owner Julian Ford, from Huxley's Birds of Prey Centre in Horsham, said she was still missing more than a week later despite many possible sightings.

Mara does not hunt for herself so there are fears for her health and safety.

Mr Ford said the eagle flew off while he and his wife were giving a display at the Ardingly show.

Julian Ford fears for Mara's well-being if she does not eat

"She sat in a small tree by the arena for two or three hours before moving to a larger tree for the night," he said.

More than 100 calls reporting sightings of a large bird have been received since, many from around the Steyning area of West Sussex.

Mr Ford said: "She is used to being fed and as far as we know she will not hunt for herself.

"She's got a very, very limited life out there if she's not eating."

The bird is described as having a black body, with wings which are black and white from underneath and black and beige on top.

She has a ginger-brown back and a distinctive orange face and beak.