TWO of the great bustards - the world's heaviest flying birds - released on Salisbury Plain last month have been killed by foxes.

Only 18 now remain of the 22 originally released, as another two injured themselves so badly in the pre-release 'soft' pens that they could not be allowed out.

Despite this, however, the Salisbury-based Great Bustard Group is confident its bid to reintroduce the turkey-like birds will be a success.

The problem with foxes - the bustard's greatest natural predator - had been expected and a predator-awareness programme put in place, which included placing a stuffed fox in the pens to aid recognition.

However, keepers were never able to complete the programme, as the birds had to be released much sooner than planned, due to problems housing them in the soft pens.

"The foxes are not really a problem from our point of view," said chairman Dave Waters.

"Our birds are becoming much stronger and are flying further all the time, so, with each day that goes by, the chances of their surviving increase.