- President Vladimir Putin has come to the rescue of an
injured seagull he found in the grounds of his holiday home in southern
Russia.
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- Russia's Centre TV reports Mr Putin discovered the stricken
bird during a short break at his Bocharev Ruchey country residence, in
the popular Black Sea resort of Sochi.
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- One of the gull's wings was broken, but after some care
and attention, it now appears to be on the mend.
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- "Quite how the bird made it into grounds of the
high-security presidential dacha is a mystery," the TV said.
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- "But it got lucky: the president decided to look
after it."
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- "Any Olympic champion would be jealous of the attention
that was lavished on this bird," the TV correspondent said.
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- The bird is now reported to be recovering at a local
bird sanctuary, but the damage to its wing means it may never be able to
return to the wild.
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- Mr Putin's image as an animal-lover is one that features
regularly in the Russian media.
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- Channel One TV recently showed his favourite pet Labrador
Koni observing her master's meeting with a regional governor.
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- And as he cast his vote in last year's parliamentary
elections, the Russian president told reporters of his joy after Koni gave
birth to a litter of eight puppies.
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- © BBC MMIV http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3586144.stm
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