A wildlife reserve in Upper Hutt is remaining hopeful that its missing cockatoo will be safely returned.
On Sunday, staff at Staglands noticed that Pepper, a 6-year-old cockatoo, wasn’t in the aviary.
Staglands general manager Sarah Purdy said staff are very upset.
“The only logical explanation we could come up with was, that on the Sunday, she was taken out of the aviary by a customer, so hmm, very disappointing.”
Police said inquiries are ongoing to identify what occurred and locate anyone who may be involved.
“[It’s] just really upsetting that someone has possibly come in — might have been premeditated, might not have been, but the bottom line is she’s not in the aviary anymore and we’re looking for her,” Purdy told 1News.
In her 42 years of working at Staglands, Purdy said it is believed to be the first time an animal has reportedly been stolen from the reserve.
Staff at Staglands noticed Pepper wasn’t in the aviary on Sunday. They believe she was taken. (Source: 1News)
“Part of the sadness about this is, is that Staglands is a very trusting place and it’s a very open place, and that’s worked for us and I’d hate things like this to come in and change the way we do things.”
Installing CCTV at the reserve is now under consideration.
When asked if the bird could have escaped, Purdy said a bird that’s been in an aviary all its life won’t want to leave it, and if they get out they tend to hang around.
The set up of the aviary includes two double door exits and entries, making it difficult for birds to escape.
Pepper has some distinguishing features, like missing a few claws on her feet, and her favourite phrases are “hello Pepper” and “hello darling”.
“I’m quite hopeful we’ll get her back,” Purdy said.
Anyone who has any information is asked to contact the police, referencing file number: 241119/4730.
