Please note, CJ passed away on July 24, 2007. He enjoyed a full and happy life with his Refuge "flock" and will be missed by us all, especially by his companion, Scarletta.

Taken from the wild at least 30 years ago, CJ endured a life akin to those captured as slaves, in order to reproduce others of their own species - purely and simply for the financial gain of their owners.

After several years, someone finally noticed that CJ had a problem passing feces. with the extreme straining often presenting blood in the faeces. CJ was diagnosed with papillomas, a growth found in the intestines and often in the throat of the afflicted bird. Although this is believed to be a contagious disease, it appears that it is only transmitted by oral or vent contact. There have been many reports of pairs living together for decades where only one partner suffers from this problem. Likely the partner has an immunity to this virus.

CJ's last owner conceived the "idea" that food grade hydrogen peroxide, provided as the liquid of choice, would kill the virus and make CJ well again. Not surprisingly, it did not work. CJ became very thin and weak. Being kept outside in the cold winter, with only plastic sheeting to protect him from bitter, below-freezing temperatures did not help either.

The owner opted to give CJ to the refuge as he said he "liked him too much to kill him" – his words, not ours. He even provided a container of hydrogen peroxide for us to continue with his "medication". Needless to say, we did not use it.

We provide lots of love, freedom and good quality food for CJ. He has had many visits to the avian vet and is progressing well using the proper medications supplied.

CJ occupies his own large compound in the special needs unit. He sees and hears companion birds around him all day to ensure that he has real bird interaction and never feels isolated.

CJ has been with us for more than 4 years now and he is in a much healthier and happier condition than when he arrived. To date there is no cure for papillomas, although ongoing research in this field is positive.

It costs approximately $10 per week to keep a healthy bird here at the refuge. It costs a lot more to keep a bird who requires ongoing veterinary care. It would help us enormously to care for more birds like CJ if you could assist us financially with his costs. All donations are tax deductible.

Please click on the "Donate Now" button below if you wish to contribute to CJ's support. Every dollar helps, and is tax deductible.

Please click on the thumbnails below to learn how you can help some special birds have a home for life through our "Virtual Adoption" program! More stories coming soon!

Birds who are now partly sponsored, thank you!

Birds who are now fully sponsored, thank you!

"This is, in a word, a great place and these miraculous creatures deserve no less, but few places can deliver it this well. It is, indeed, 'world class'."

– Stewart Metz (author and Director of the Indonesian Parrot Project), after his visit at the Grand Opening of the Refuge on August 13, 2005.

"The World Parrot Refuge is a true sanctuary where parrots live out their lives in a loving, spacious and happy environment under the guidance of extraordinarily caring people. The many visitors destined to pass through the refuge will come to understand that parrots are not toys or trophies, but beings with needs and emotions as real as our own."

– Rosemary Low (author of more than 30 books on parrots)