An interesting week. This week there was a seizure of two non-indigenous birds by the Belize Forestry department. A cross bred Macaw and a Molluccan Cockatoo. Both birds were owned by a local family who had in the past used them as educational birds in the community. The birds were certainly loved at one stage..... But... Eventually the owner fell ill and the birds were placed in a back yard where they remained. Socialisation stopped, the cages rusted. Fresh food and especially water became intermittent. Feather plucking and endless head bobbing started. But this wasnt the whole problem. The birds had no paperwork whatsoever. No CITES certificate, no breeding history, nothing at all. No import permits. Both birds were obviously smuggled into Belize and the Molluccan may have been wild caught. Nobody knows. The Macaw had a leg band that seemed a bit home made. It was so tight that flesh was growing over the band. There were pressure sores under the band, and this was also compounded by stage three bumblefoot. The birds were then transferred to Belize Bird Rescue where they are having palliative care and lots of social interaction. The birds were seized in a difficult circumstances. The son of the owner became aggressive and ended up being arrested by the Police. And now there is a campaign started to have the birds returned. There is a media smear offensive against the Forestry Officer and also Belize Bird Rescue. Now we are not political, nor did we instigate the seizing of the birds. We just ended up with them and will care for them until a decision is made on their future. This will either be euthanasia, long term care at BBR, or they will be returned to their previous keepers. Personally I see only one correct path. This will not be the first time that Belize Bird Rescue may have to return birds to terrible conditions because the keepers have political connections.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Aug 2014 17:58:22 +0000
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