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Big Sam passed due to Atherosclerosis. (Heart Issues) Due to years with being unable to move much in his too small breeder cage and box, as well as a horrible diet, time took its toll. Fly free Big Sam. We love you!
Terry's necropsy results are back. Numerous factors played a roll in this sweetheart passing. You all know his story. Born wild turned into a breeder. Terry passed due to Cardiovascular Disease and a Congested Liver. His lungs were filled with pollutants. The pollutants were caused by a chronic condition, meaning the environment he was in for years with a lack of fresh air and took its toll. We will pick Terry's body up tomorrow when Victoria is taken into SEAVS for her scheduled check up after her recent surgery.
Terry is free at last. A symbol of his complete freedom was the removal of the band put into his leg so long ago. You will never suffer again sweet Terry. Fly free.
Amaré
Valentine Crew... They are all cleared of quarantine. !!!woooo hoooo!!! Two of the birds, Calypso and Terry have elevated bile acid, which is part of liver function. They are going to be fine, it is not a significant number. With proper diet it should fix itself. Valentine on the other hand, had a significantly elevated bile acid count. Her diet should cause this to fix itself but she will be seen by the doctor again for follow up to monitor her health. That being said, today Terry and Simon will be moved into the handicap, special-needs aviary. We have had blind and almost blind birds in there before. Matt and I will be sitting out there monitoring them. You can expect the photos and videos to flood your Facebook pages. Sorry, fair warning! Ha ha ha ha. Happy and Sweet-Pea will also be going into the sunroom to start their life in a much bigger area. We will also be fitting the sunroom with some of the special perches for AJ and Annecy. Amaré is in a cage with special perches that came in a few days ago. If you were not aware of them please scroll down our page and you can see what a generous supporter sent to us as well as Byrdbell Company. He now sits next to us near the couch. He also has a sling that makes it easier to carry him around over our shoulder as well as safely carrying him to other locations to enjoy life more. In the next few weeks, he will have an appointment and we will begin the process to see whether or not we can fix his legs.
Terry (R) and Robert (L)
Simon
Simon
Over the past two or three days, we've finally been able to start putting personalities to The Valentine Crew. We have been worried about a few of them, but everyone is progressing as expected so far. Except one, Simon. Last night while spending time with the quarantine group before our nightly shower (to avoid possible cross contamination of various illnesses to the other sanctuary birds) we noticed that Simon hadn't perched or touched his food. Now we know why. We went in for a closer look and Simon didn't growl, VERY unusual for a WILD parrot. Even with our hands 1/4 inch from his eyes. He's almost 100% blind. He can't see his food. His water sparkled BRIGHTLY at him in the sunlight, so he figured it out. He couldn't perch, because he couldn't find the perch. For 25 (or so) years, Simon lived in the same place, same cage, same set up, with his food and water bowls in the same place. So as he lost sight, he was still able to locate his food. Now, everything is new and different.
we left to drive up to New Jersey
Notice the review mirror décor? Life is, Eat, Sleep, (bird) poop (cleaning) , repeat. ;-) hehehe
8 Wild Greys and their older offspring
(No photos of offspring are currently available)
As many of you are aware, there are 8 Ex Breeder African Grey Parrots that Matt was contacted about recently. We will be traveling to New Jersey in the next week to pick up these Greys and begin the process of introducing them to a better life in sanctuary. We were recently made aware that there are 5 more Greys that are actually the older offspring of these 8 Wild Greys. This has brought Matt and I both to the realization that we are going to have to look into the eyes of these 5 offspring and leave them behind to a life of uncertainty. The current owner of these birds has not been able to find anyone in her area to take on any of her other birds. We have a great facility here for these (once) wild birds that will eventually have 3,600 sq ft to fly in once they have had veterinarian care, have been quarantined and if they are able to get their flight ability back.
for many wild caught birds, they can live a life without the sun for 30+ years. We are not sure if these birds have had the joy of sunlight, but we'd like to make sure that they have the rest of their life with the ability to enjoy the sunshine.
to be taken from the skies over the African Trees to a dark, small cage where your mate is chosen for you, sometimes 30+ years, ... how would you feel if it were you? :-(
We are expecting possible issues with the respiratory system of these birds due to the dust and dander build up. This will be fixed if present with veterinary care and the fresh air of the sanctuary.
we are expecting very fearful birds who have only known one side of human interaction at this point. We hope to show them the kindness that humans have to offer and in time we hope that they learn to accept human interaction on their terms.
Clouds, sun, showers in the rain, and freedom will be a completely different world for these sweet angels.
The "featherless" Grey is the female. We are hoping with the stimulation in "sanctuary life", she (like many others) will get some/most/all of her feathers back and once again learn to take to the skies.