**BREAKING: ZOO’S DARING DEED SAVES THE DAY AS KING VULTURE CHICK GETS ROYAL TREATMENT**
In a bizarre incident that has left animal lovers agog, the local zoo has taken the unprecedented step of using a life-like puppet to feed its newly-hatched King Vulture chick. The daring stunt has been hailed as a masterpiece of modern zookeeping, and we’re not surprised – after all, who wouldn’t want to see a fake bird feeding a real one?
According to eyewitnesses, the zoo’s newest addition, a King Vulture chick, was having trouble latching onto its mother’s food, and the zookeepers were at a loss for what to do. That’s when the ingenious idea struck: why not create a realistic puppet to do the feeding? We’re told it was a eureka moment, and who are we to argue?
Enter “Vulture Vera,” a remarkably lifelike puppet crafted by the zoo’s in-house team of puppeteers. Vera boasts intricate feather details, a beak that opens and closes, and even a tongue that wiggles with an uncanny realism. We’re pretty sure it’s the most high-tech puppet we’ve ever seen.
Armed with Vera, the zookeepers began to feed the chick, who eagerly devoured its meals as if it were being fed by its real mother. “It was like magic!” exclaimed zoo spokesperson, Jane Smith. “The chick totally fell for it! We’re not sure if it’s because Vera is just that good, or if the chick is just that hungry.”
As news of the puppet feeding spread, social media went wild, with fans and critics alike weighing in on the unorthodox method. “This is genius!” tweeted @WildlifeWarrior3000. “Who needs actual parenting skills when you have a puppet?” Meanwhile, @SkepticalScientist countered, “But is this really the most natural way to raise a King Vulture? #FakeFoodForThought”
The zoo remains unapologetic, insisting that Vera has been a game-changer for their avian amigos. “Hey, it works!” said Smith with a chuckle. “And who knows? Maybe one day we’ll have a whole flock of puppet-fed birds taking over the zoo!”
In related news, the King Vulture chick has been upgraded to “critical cute” status, and Vera the puppet has been nominated for a Golden Paw Award for Most Creative Use of Fake Feathers.
**UPDATE**: We’ve just received word that the zoo is planning to release a line of Vera-themed merchandise, including plush toys, t-shirts, and – you guessed it – realistic bird-puppets for sale. Stay tuned for more on this developing story!
