An animal lover has started a campaign to rescue a foreign-native bird species locked up and isolated in a local store for several years.
According to Wendy Davidson from Australia, she heard of a kookaburra for sale in a Virginia, U.S., pet store for $1,200.
“I was deeply saddened to see one of our native protected species in a small cage alone and so far from home,” Davidson, who’s been living in the States since 2015, said in an interview with Daily Mail Australia.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about him being a prisoner in solitary confinement.”
After visiting the pet shop to see the bird with her own eyes, the animal lover was saddened to learn that the kookaburra, Thunder, has been held captive for over four years.
The following day, Wendy reached out to different US authorities in an attempt to rescue the bird from captivity.
According to Ms. Davidson, she contacted the wildlife trafficking alliance, the US Department of Agriculture and Animal Care, the Australian Consulate General in New York, and several ZOOs in Virginia.
“Those that did reply basically fobbed me off or claimed that they didn’t have jurisdiction of the issue,” Wendy added.
After everyone refused to get involved, Wendy also reached out to Australian authorities who shared her distress over the “imprisonment” of the iconic Australian bird.
Nevertheless, the Australian Wildlife and Protection Council advised Ms. Davidson to leave the animal in the store as buying it could initiate a supply and demand for the animal.
In Australia, native birds aren’t allowed to be exported abroad for commercial purposes unless they are bred in captivity.
In the state of Virginia, one the other hand, there are no regulations that would prohibit people from buying or owning exotic birds.
After Wendy’s plea went viral, fellow-minded animal lovers rallied to bring the kookaburra back home.
“Absolutely hope someone will start a Go Fund me page so this woman (or someone) can give this bird a loving home or get it to freedom,” someone wrote.
“Can you imagine being caged your whole life alone? It’s so cruel,” another one said.
And as one woman suggested, it would be best if the bird was moved to a sanctuary where it could thrive for the rest of its life.
“If we can support egg boy via a GoFundMe page why not do one for the kookaburra via a sanctuary for its safe return to Australia,” she wrote. “Obviously if it’s been caged its whole life it would be difficult for it to be released.”
What are your thoughts on this parrot’s story? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to SHARE this post on Facebook to give Thunder better chances of living a fulfilled life!
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