This bird used to inhabit the royal menagerie. It is no longer able to fly due to its oil-caked wings.

Hundreds of Kuwaiti oil wells were sabotaged by departing Iraqis, turning the desert into a poisoned inferno.

A Wild Well Control worker is slumped by the wheel of a truck at the end of his 12 hour shift. Hundreds of Kuwaiti oil wells were sabotaged by departing Iraqis, turning the desert into a poisoned inferno. Specialist firefighters moved in to minimize the damage.

As oil gushes out, a new valve is bolted into position. Hundreds of Kuwaiti oil wells were sabotaged by departing Iraqis, turning the desert into a poisoned inferno. Specialist firefighters moved in to minimize the damage.

A blast of oil and fumes has knocked a firefighter unconscious; he had to be pulled clear by three colleagues. Hundreds of Kuwaiti oil wells were sabotaged by departing Iraqis, turning the desert into a poisoned inferno. Specialist firefighters moved in to minimize the damage.

Joe Bowden, the owner of Wild Well Control consults one of his workers. Hundreds of Kuwaiti oil wells were sabotaged by departing Iraqis, turning the desert into a poisoned inferno. Specialist firefighters moved in to minimize the damage.

Workers struggle to install a new wellhead to stem the pillars of fire. Hundreds of Kuwaiti oil wells were sabotaged by departing Iraqis, turning the desert into a poisoned inferno. Specialist firefighters moved in to minimize the damage.

Smoke and oil dominate the desolate landscape. Hundreds of Kuwaiti oil wells were sabotaged by departing Iraqis, turning the desert into a poisoned inferno. Specialist firefighters moved in to minimize the damage.

A well-capping operation is completed by American and Canadian specialists. Hundreds of Kuwaiti oil wells were sabotaged by departing Iraqis, turning the desert into a poisoned inferno. Specialist firefighters moved in to minimize the damage.

Hundreds of Kuwaiti oil wells were sabotaged by departing Iraqis, turning the desert into a poisoned inferno. Specialist firefighters moved in to minimize the damage.

Others - Individual awards