The World Parrot Refuge was very proud to present a unique conference in Parksville, BC, which helped to educate the attendees about conservation and the illegal parrot trade. A number of amazing parrot experts joined us from Canada, the United States, Mexico and the United Kingdom, all of whom presented lectures as part of our goal to educate the public about what is being done to protect the parrots of the world.

Over the next week or so, we will have photos posted and a brief of the lectures to share with you.

Please click below to read more about the fascinating speakers who presented at the conference.

Follow up:

Speakers

Rosemary Low, World-reknowned parrot expert

Rosemary Low is considered one of the world's foremost parrot experts, having devoted most of her life to studying and advocating for these magnificent creatures. A co-founder of the World Parrot Trust in 1989, and editor of the Society's magazine, "PsittaScene" until 2004, Rosemary spends her time promoting and assisting with parrot conservation projects. She is passionate about improving the lives of captive birds. Rosemary spent nearly eight years in the Canary Islands as curator of two of the world's largest parrot collections, Loro Parque in Tenerife and Palmitos Park in Gran Canaria. She has traveled widely, speaking at avicultural symposiums on four continents and observing parrots in the wild in more than 30 countries. Rosemary has published hundreds of articles and more than 20 books on parrots, on subjects ranging from their care and breeding to the issues of trade and conservation. Her latest book, "Go West for Parrots – a South American Odyssey, chronicles her journeys to the neotropics over three decades, beginning in 1975. Rosemary will be available to autograph her new book at the Making a Difference Conference.

Stewart Metz, Director, Indonesian Parrot Project

A graduate of Yale Medical School, Dr Stewart Metz has served as Professor of Medicine at two major universities, and was the Chief of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, and Head of the Diabetes Program, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2001, Dr Metz left behind a promising career to dedicate his life to parrots, parrot conservation and the welfare of companion parrots. As Director of the Indonesian Parrot project, Stewart promotes alternative forms of sustainable income, including eco-tourism, for local villagers, who in turn protect local birds from trapping. He also uses his biomedical background to enhance both the Medical Initiative of the Seram (Indonesia) Program, as well as the disease and laboratory testing aspects of the project's Wild Parrot Re-Release program. Dr Metz also serves as a conservation consultant for Project Bird Watch, an organization dedicated to saving the Moluccan cockatoo in its native Indonesian habitat. Promoting education and the most humane care possible for companion parrots continue to be important issues for a man who believes that no matter how much we do for our companion parrots, we can never come close to the life they have in the wild.

Sam Williams, PhD, Co-Founder of ParrotWatch.org

Sam Williams, University of Sheffield, has spent the past several years studying the endangered Yellow-shouldered Amazon on the Caribbean Island of Bonaire. His fieldwork is designed to develop optimal conservation management strategies. Sam's research involves monitoring mortality, particularly during the reproductive cycle, and investigating parrot requirements through habitat assessment and bird surveys. After completing his studies in Ecology at the University of Stirling in 2001, Williams traveled to Brazil, where he assisted in identifying active nests of the critically endangered Lear's Macaw. He has a long association with the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation, where he worked with the rare Echo parakeet. In association with a local non-governmental group (Salba Nos Lora), Sam and his colleagues promote community-based conservation efforts to generate awareness of, and safeguard the future for, the Yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot. This involves a variety of approaches from coordinating educational campaigns to planting fruit trees and conducting annual parrot population counts. You can follow the work of Sam and his team at parrotwatch.org, where visitors can observe inside wild parrot nests.

Steve Milpacher, Director of Business Development, World Parrot Trust

As Director of Business Development, Steve Milpacher manages the World Parrot Trust's website, establishes business partnerships, and provides general support for marketing, fundraising, and business efforts. Steve attended Okanagan College (now UBC Okanagan), taking courses in the biological sciences and later completed a certificate in Endangered Species Management with Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust (now Durrell Preservation Trust) at Jersey, UK. Steve's business credentials include working in the education industry, first as an education and nature products retailer, and later in a variety of business, marketing, and web development roles for an education software company. He has spoken at numerous clubs, meetings and conferences and has had articles published in Bird Talk, Parrots, Parrot Society of Australia and PsittaScene magazines. Steve has a keen interest in photography, and recently had the opportunity to fulfill a dream to travel to Mexico and photograph wild Thick-billed and Maroon-fronted Parrots.

Ann Brooks, President, Phoenix Landing, North Carolina

President and co-founder of Phoenix Landing, Ann Brooks' original plan was to build a free-flight facility where parrots could enjoy long and healthy lives, inspired by her macaw Phoenix who should live decades longer than she will. However, reflecting on the extensive number of birds that need new homes through no fault of their own, Ann realized that no sanctuary could be large enough.  Established in 2000 and active in several east coast states, Phoenix Landing has developed into an extensive network of volunteers to facilitate the foster and adoption for parrots, and hosts a robust education program about parrot care to improve the quality-of-life for parrots in captivity.  The organization also seeks to protect wild parrots by supporting a variety of research, conservation and eco-tourism projects.  A passionate advocate, Ann knows that parrots can be victims of indigenous trapping and unscrupulous sellers more interested in making a dollar than in preparing bird and human alike for a long and complicated life together.  However, and just as importantly, many parrots in loving and capable homes will need a new one simply because they live a long time, and parrots require more care than many people are able to provide long-term.  Her goal is to insure that the Phoenix Landing Foundation will be sustainable for decades to come, so that parrots like her Phoenix will always have a safe place to land.  Phoenix Landing recently opened it's first adoption and education center in Alexander, NC, where Ann hopes to develop several aspects of "The Landing" to include a a national adoption and education facility, conference center, free-flight refuge, and a destination point for those who love parrots.

Juan Carlos Cantu Guzman, Director of Programs, Defenders of Wildlife, Mexico Office

A law school graduate, Juan Carlos also studied biology at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. He joined Defenders of Wildlife in 2002, bringing his expertise in Mexican environmental politics and policy, as well as his extensive knowledge of sea turtle conservation, wildlife trade and parrot conservation. He directs and implements all programs of the Mexico office of Defenders of Wildlife. Juan Carlos is also a co-founder of the non-governmental organization Teyeliz, AC, a non-profit conservation organization working towards eliminating the illegal trafficking of parrots in Mexico. In 2007, Juan Carlos published a landmark report on the illegal parrot trade and its effects on Mexico's 22 parrot species that was later used by the Mexican Congress to ban all trade in parrots. His efforts helped to add many endangered species of parrots, including the yellow-crested cockatoo and the blue-headed macaw, to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Juan Carlos has been fighting the illegal parrot trade for more than ten years, and is widely considered Mexico's foremost expert in the field.

Maria Elena Sanchez Saldana, President, Teyeliz, AC

One of the co-authors (along with Juan Carlos Cantu Guzman) of a landmark 2007 report on the illegal Mexican parrot trade, Maria Elena is a long-time supporter of species conservation in Mexico. The "Illegal Parrot Trade in Mexico: A Comprehensive Assessment" provided crucial scientific data enabling the Mexican government in 2008 to legislate a ban in all trade in parrots. A biologist, Maria Elena is co-founder (in 1995) and president of Teyeliz, AC, a non-governmental organization committed to conservation of Mexican biodiversity, and a key player in the battle against the illegal parrot trade. Maria Elena worked at PROFEPA (Environmental General Attorney Office), where she initiated the CITES program of inspection at seaports and airports in Mexico. She has been a member of the official Mexican delegation at several CITES meetings. Maria Elena is also the Coordinator of the Regional Bureau of Central and South America and the Caribbean of the Species Survival Network. Maria Elena believes that the key to protecting future generations of parrots lies in changing attitudes - "if wild parrots are to survive, then people must stop buying them."

Wendy Huntbatch, President, World Parrot Refuge

Founder of the World Parrot Refuge, located in Coombs, British Columbia, Wendy Huntbatch is a vocal and passionate advocate for all parrots. An ever-growing surplus of unwanted pet parrots compelled Wendy to establish the "For the Love Of Parrots Refuge Society" in 1993, which operates the World Parrot Refuge, providing a "home for life" for previously owned parrots. Wendy, originally from England, is also Vice-president, International Relations, of Phoenix Landing, North Carolina, a not-for-profit organization that advocates for both captive and wild parrots. In 2004, Wendy's commitment to homeless parrots led her to spend her life savings purchasing 20 acres of land to build the present world-class facility. From humble beginnings, the Refuge now hosts over 700 parrots, who enjoy free-flight compounds, a hospital unit and special care unit for permanently disabled birds. Providing a voice for Canada's homeless parrots, Wendy lobbies government and corporations alike, tirelessly fundraising on behalf of the forgotten. She also spends countless hours speaking on the plight of captive parrots, hoping to educate the next generation about the unsuitability of parrots as pets.

December brings more parrots! And increased financial needs.

Wendy never turns away parrots needing a permanent home. At the World Parrot Refuge they find a loving and secure environment, where they are encouraged as much as possible, to grow into complete and healthy parrots.

Wendy then hopes in faith that the funding for their upkeep will follow.

Thanks! to all our supporters who see the value in what we are doing and are able to contribute in one way and another.

If you would like to help, financially and otherwise, please click on the HELP tab at the top of this web page for more information.

Thanks Everyone! Have a wonderful finish to the year - despite the turbulent times we've all been experiencing - Love goes on!

As I sat down for the first time today and looked out of the window, I noticed that the flags were starting to rest too. The bright colourful rainbow fabric sails that flap so wildly during the day also needed to sleep. Sadly, resting will not help the flags to heal: the wind has shredded them this year. Maybe we should get some new ones. It seems to be such a short time since we bought them and proudly put them on display to show people where to find us. So much has happened since that week. In fact so much has happened since our last newsletter that I decided to try and pull it all together, so that others could glimpse the busy life we have here at the World Parrot Refuge.

Larry Neil, one of our special volunteers, erected all the steel piping and chain link fencing in the new Macaw House. He did an incredible job and stretched the fencing really tight. Even with cuts, bruises, and very sore hands he didn’t give up until it was finished. Thank you Larry from all of the humans here at the sanctuary. When the Macaws finally get in there, you will hear the cheers as far away as Victoria!

The newly constructed Macaw House, thanks to Larry Neil and Andy Breslin.

The next step is to get trees and branches for the compounds – especially arbutus. If anyone has some that they don’t want - we will be happy to put it to good use. We have a large number of Macaws all waiting to move into the new Macaw House - but we have to build forests first. We can use fallen trees of all kinds, except cedar. Parrots need to have family roosts to call their own. Each small flock that makes up the larger flock prefers their own special home in the forest.

Follow up:

Andy and Janet Breslin came from Surrey and spent a week here to make a difference to the birds. Andy put up all the lighting in both of the 25 foot wide by 100 foot long Macaw compounds. Janet made dozens of large toys for incoming and special needs residents. Together they turned the toys into parrot playgrounds in the compounds, and the birds were on them immediately. They enjoy having new toys so much, and it gives us such pleasure to watch them. This was the Breslin's vacation this year - working to help the parrots. What a great job - Thank You both from the bottom of our hearts!

Val and Doug Jones decided that they wanted to start building the outside flights for the birds. It takes a lot of steel pipe and a lot of chain link fencing for this major construction. As we all know, the price of anything made of steel has gone through the roof so the big problem facing us was the money - or lack of it. Not to be beaten, Val decided she would have a garage sale and raise the funds needed. Doug jumped in right away to help, as did Larry and Anne Neil from Courtney. They printed up posters telling of their idea and the date for the garage sale - and then posted them all around town. The phone calls started. Doug and Larry were suddenly run off their feet collecting wonderful items so generously donated by caring people. Val and Anne and some close friends helped to sort and price the endless stream of donated items. After two days of selling, just about everything found a new home. They reached a grand total of $2,600.48! Almost enough for the first outside flight. A generous donor who visited the sanctuary last week, sent $100 through the website to help with the cost of the flight. If things keep going like this, one section will be built this summer. Quality Foods supermarket donated the use of their tent, which helped enormously when it decided to rain. The hot dog sale really helped to boost the funds raised, thanks to the hard work of Val and Anne.

The new enclosure for the small parrots: cockatiels, budgies, and lovebirds.

If you would like to help to financially support this endeavour, please donate online (click on the CanadaHelps button in the top right corner of this page) and specify the fund ‘Capital Project: Give Them Wings and Outside Flights’.

Kelly Fisher and her great family have started collecting toys for the birds. They brought in boxes and boxes of well played with but now forgotten toys. Grant Corriveau has spent endless hours on the John Deere keeping the grass shorter than us. Al and Ria Humphrey volunteer for many hours a week giving special attention to birds that really need it. They also come in twice a week to do evening feeds and give special treats to all the birds. Ria has even started bringing in almond tarts for the staff and we are very happy about this.

Thank goodness for these wonderful people: we could not do it all without them! All of these volunteers are true friends of the sanctuary. Our deepest thanks hardly seem to scratch the surface to show how much we really appreciate them all.

We have noticed a decline in the number of tourists to the Island and to the sanctuary this summer. The high price of gas and the cost of the ferry trip have made a huge difference to many people. We rely on tourism to support our work to provide more than 700 parrots with a Home For Life. The parrots are still coming in steadily. At the beginning of July we received 20 parrots in 3 days. All but 2 were large parrots. Only one of these parrots is financially supported. The others were considered as a donation to the society. Most of them are in very poor condition and require a lot of medication and a lot of time spent on them. They are not as afraid now as they were in the beginning, and readily accept the food choices we offer. Some of the macaws still look at fruits and veggies as though they are alien beings. Most of them, however, have tried them and really enjoy them. Walnuts and almonds have certainly become their foods of choice at this time.

This article shows a few pictures of them. Some are serious feather-pluckers, and their sadness can be seen easily. Those that are fully feathered are actually in far worse shape.

Incoming "Breeding" Umbrellas.

The female Umbrella cockatoo appeared to have a club foot, and the toenails on her good foot were over 2 inches long and resembled Narwhal tusks. On closer examination we could see that her toenails on the crippled foot had grown together, and she could not move her toes at all. We carefully trimmed them to release her toes. Now she is using the back two toes to move around the cage. The male Umbrella cockatoo had a serious eye infection. His eye was so swollen that it was pointing backwards. Pus and bubbles came from the eye at the slightest touch. The hardest part for him and for us was taking him out 3 times a day to medicate the eye. Now he is very afraid of us - but his eye is fine. We will keep working on calming his fears as time goes on.

Incoming "Breeding" Macaw with Papilloma Virus.

The two badly plucked macaws were housed together. One has what appears to be a herpes virus presenting on her tongue. They are still caged for a month of observation and good feeding. However, we have separated them since it is exhausting to keep growing feathers when the partner immediately removes them. What else did they have to do? Sunflower seeds, dog food, and occasionally peanuts were hardly an exciting diet to look forward to. There were no toys for them. Breeder birds are expected to perform: not to waste time playing.

Incoming "Breeding" Macaw with Papilloma Virus.

This pair have papilloma virus. The male did not need close examination as the papilloma is quite visible. Our incredible vet will be working on him very soon. We need to get them feeling a lot better first. The old male Moluccan cockatoo has already had one full treatment of antibiotics. His new treatment starts tomorrow. We are hoping to heal him so that he can have a few happy years with us.

The biggest problem for us in this situation is money. We cannot possibly have all the investigative work done on these birds without money. The cost of keeping healthy birds in this sanctuary averages out at $500 per bird per year. The medical bills caused by years of oblivious neglect can be astronomical. Sadly, most people think that their birds are healthy because they do not have spots all over them, or sneeze and cough. Heart problems for one are rarely noticeable unless examined by a vet. These birds, and many other parrots that arrive at the Refuge, were caught in the wild many years ago. Most breeders do not want to disturb their birds for fear of disrupting the breeding. Many people are just too afraid to pick them up and take them to a vet as they fear being injured by those enormous and powerful beaks.

So far this year we have received 68 parrots at the sanctuary. Although a number of them are being supported by their previous owners, many are not. We do need your help. Any financial support is very welcome and will be used in the care and feeding of these previously owned parrots. If you can volunteer and help out in many essential areas it will also be of enormous help to the birds. Making toys, cutting grass, spray bathing birds, washing dishes, doing laundry, cracking nuts and preparing seed and nut trays are all jobs that need to be done daily.

If you can raise funds in any way - please talk to us. We are great parrot caregivers - but not very good at raising funds! We need the help of someone who knows how to get grants. If you or someone you know has this extra-special ability, please call Wendy at 250 951 1166.

We cannot return these parrots to their natural environment for many reasons. But we can bring a close to natural environment to them. If we all work together, we can give them a good life and hopefully they will understand that people really do care and understand that they are beautiful, intelligent living beings with whom we share this planet.

Currently we are caring for 3 parrots that were seized by the SPCA from a really bad situation. These birds have gained a lot of weight and have been treated by our avian veterinarian. They have received spray baths and loving gentle care. Now they are no longer afraid and will come for gentle stroking. One of the birds is already flying around. The previous owners have obtained legal counsel and are planning to go to court to ask for the return of these birds. If someone would like to start an online petition asking the judge not to return them to these people, maybe it will help.

We are receiving help from many places. If you can, please shop at these stores to show your gratitude for the way they help the parrots!
Save On Foods
Buckerfields
West Coast Tropical Bird Studio Inc. in Vancouver and online.
Eatmore Sprouts – available at all good food stores
Night Owl Bird Hospital in Vancouver.

We will soon be posting new pictures of parrots who need a virtual family. Please check the website to see how you can Virtually Adopt a parrot. Let’s try and get every parrot Virtually Adopted this year!

So far this year we have received two beautiful Fischer's Lovebirds, an African Grey and a Green-winged Macaw.

The African Grey is named Charlie, and is the loved child of a devoted Momma who was at least 70 when she bought him as an itsy-bitsy baby, and raised him herself. She has been a regular donor, and visited the refuge to make sure that there was a place for Charlie should anything ever happen to her. Sadly, she had a stroke and was whisked off to the hospital in Vancouver. Her daughter went across to the mainland to see Mom and picked up Charlie (who is now 15 years old) and brought him right here. Poor Charlie is really suffering. He saw his beloved Momma fall to the floor and saw people carry her away. He has not seen her since, and feels lost and abandoned. I have spent 2 days talking to him and explaining about Momma. Today, he came out of his cage and started to make conversation with Coco the Umbrella cockatoo from Calgary.

(Note added Feb. 19: you can spot Charlie in the background of this video. He seems to be doing better.)

Phoenix, the Green-winged Macaw is only 9 years old, and has already come full circle from his first home to his home for life in the Refuge. I raised him from a tiny baby for a man who wanted to give Phoenix to his beloved daughter (who wanted Phoenix forever and ever). A year ago Phoenix was sold to a another couple. Phoenix, and another Grey and Amazon lived in the "Bird Room" in the basement, while the couple lived upstairs. Phoenix apparently kept climbing the stairs to "reshape" the furniture to look more like real trees in the jungle. He came here with a handsome donation to support him. He is having a blast with Charley the Military Macaw. They are very naughty little boys who walk around the floor together looking for mischief. I laughed until I almost coughed my lungs up!

- from Wendy

In just six days, between Friday, August 25 to Wednesday, August 30 we welcomed ten parrots to the Refuge. Two of them came from one home with support, and the other eight are donations, two of which require vet care. We are so glad to have them with us, and to be able to provide them with a Home for Life. Of course, any help you could provide in supporting our new arrivals would be most welcomed.

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!

Birds who are now partly sponsored, thank you!

Birds who are now fully sponsored, thank you!

"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)

"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.