When the signal from her satellite tracking device was lost, somewhere over the Indian Ocean, racing experts feared the worst. It was believed that Aphrodite, an albatross taking part in a celebrity-sponsored trans-Pacific race, had perished.
But despite the gloomy predictions, Aphrodite's Texan sponsor Jerry Hall was hoping and praying for her safe return, and now the former model's prayers have been answered: the bird has unexpectedly arrived safely in South African waters, after a 6,000-mile odyssey.
By doing so she became the winner of the Big Bird Race, a special event staged to publicise the plight of the giant birds. Tens of thousands of them are lost each year to substandard or illegal fishing practices.
Eighteen albatrosses took off from Australia on April 27, but signals from all but three have since been lost. The other two still being tracked are Ocean Spirit, owned by Sir David Attenborough, and Zac Goldsmith's Ecologist.
"When Aphrodite disappeared in the middle on the Indian Ocean, I thought her chances of winning were dashed," admitted a relieved Jerry. "But when her satellite tracking device came back online off the South African coast I was delighted."
"Now that she has been declared the winner, I am over the moon. I have been delighted to be able to contribute to the conservation of these iconic birds."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
