Ordered at the click of a mouse

The rotten business with colorful parrots

Private donations, divorce orphans, found birds, confiscated victims of the illegal bird trade and birds taken away due to poor husbandry - around 190 animals live in the Vienna rescue center.

(Bild: Arbeitsgemeinschaft Papageienschutz Alle Rechte vorbehalten)

Confiscated, abandoned and carelessly purchased. The association "ARGE Papageienschutz" is the last stop for exotic birds that have been through this sad ordeal. A current case shows once again how quick money is made with animals and how misunderstood love of animals causes even more suffering.

Apparently, many people dream of keeping a parrot that jumps trustingly on their shoulder, always whistles a little tune and makes those around it smile with its impressive vocabulary. But this has nothing to do with reality.

Mrs. B. from Lower Austria felt the same way. The pensioner felt lonely and went on an animal "partner search" on the Internet. She quickly responded to a relevant advertisement for a gray parrot, which she found on an "interest group for bird owners" and did not do any further research.

Just a short time later, the seller turned up on her doorstep. "I was taken by surprise and didn't think about it," she admits in an interview with the "Krone". The purchase was made in cash, without a valid proof of origin and without an invoice for the 600 euros paid.

Illegal trade without thinking
Ms. B. does not want to answer whether it should not have been clear to her at the time that she was not only putting herself in a precarious position with this illegal transaction, but also the animal. The pensioner does not agree that it is necessary to inform herself in advance, as she has sufficient expertise, as she already had budgies decades ago.

Mrs. B.'s grey parrot showed clear signs of stress and, according to the bird experts, let out cries of fear. Plucking its own feathers is also a cry for help!

(Bild: Arbeitsgemeinschaft Papageienschutz Alle Rechte vorbehalten)

But "Coco" behaved completely differently than the lady had expected. He literally screamed the whole day, the volume was unbearable. Nervous, she decided to give the gray parrot away and contacted the association "Arbeitsgemeinschaft Papageienschutz".

ARGE Parrot Protection

• A registered, non-profit association since July 1996, which is committed to the protection and welfare of parrots - founded by zoologist Nadja Ziegler.
• Over the years, the association has developed into an international contact point for questions regarding the species-appropriate keeping of exotic birds.
• A donation to STHR Papageienschutz enables parrots in need to find a new life in Austria and is tax-deductible.
  Donation account: IBAN: AT51 6000 0000 9206 4164
• On May 05, 2024 there will be a celebration for the two-year anniversary, you can find out more about the work of the association here

Ms. B. was told politely but firmly that she could hand over the bird here, but that she would have to pay a share of the care costs as part of a sponsorship. Only after lengthy discussions and price negotiations did the Lower Austrian woman agree to pay 30 euros a month for her "Coco".

Ignorance or ignorance of this legal and ethical framework does not absolve one of responsibility.

Diemar Bobacz, ARGE Papageienschutz 

For the founder of the association, zoologist Nadja Ziegler, this story fits in seamlessly with a series of animal handovers like this: "It's just sad to see how carelessly people treat living creatures. They are ordered like goods on the internet and delivered to your doorstep. In this case too, the necessary papers are missing and the trade is illegal - a clear violation of the Species Protection Act."

Zoologist Nadja Ziegler takes devoted care of her protégés.

(Bild: Arbeitsgemeinschaft Papageienschutz Alle Rechte vorbehalten)

"Falco" in love
Fortunately, the tide has turned for "Coco". He has now been able to shed his panicky behavior and has integrated well into a large group of grey parrots with his new name "Falco". He is displaying interested behavior and, according to observations by his keepers, he may also be developing spring fever towards a female.

We can only speculate as to the fate of his fellow parrots, which are still being offered for sale on the internet, and hope that such machinations will soon come to an end.