Homing pigeon who missed the mark ? by 5,000 miles
A homing pigeon hitched a ride on a boat during a race across the English Channel – and ended up in South Africa.
The bird missed its finishing line by a 5,000 miles and was found in a diamond mine near Cape Town.
Its owner, Henry Sinfield, 79, from South Normanton, Derbyshire, was shocked when, three weeks after the race, he got a call from South Africa saying that his prized bird had been found. Itwas taking part in a race from Fourgeres, in France, on 8 June, and was supposed to return to Mr Sinfield's home. It was one of nine swept off course by a storm.
Mr Sinfield said the bird was now being treated like royalty by pigeon fanciers in South Africa. A miner contacted the South African National Homing Pigeon Organisation, whose secretary will become the pigeon's new owner. Mr Sinfield said: "We decided it would take too long to bring her home as she would have to go through quarantine."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies