Dear Parrots magazine,
The National Parrot Zoo (Friskney) is licensed by East Lindsey District Council (ELDC). Under the legislation, the Zoo (NPZ) is obliged to send annual livestock inventories to ELDC. As a result of a Freedom of Information Act request to ELDC, it has been revealed that during the 12 months 2009/10, 163 deaths were recorded. This represents about 10% of the total of birds held.
Dear Parrots magazine,
I have not visited the National Parrot Zoo, much as I should like to do so, so I cannot comment on all of the points raised by D Woodbury and Greg Glendell in their letters in the May issue. I am surprised, however, that the lack of heated accommodation is criticised, as I should not have thought it common practice to provide heat for the majority of parrot species, especially not medium to large birds. I have visited many zoos and bird gardens where there is clearly no heated accommodation for psittacines and I cannot imagine many private aviculturalists would provide it for their aviary birds - I certainly should not consider doing so for any but the smallest and most delicate species. Deaths are always unfortunate but no animal is immortal and disasters can happen. My local zoo at Sewerby Hall, Bridlington has had a very unlucky few months with snow causing the roof of the aviary for foreign finches to collapse resulting in the escape of most of the birds, and repeated incursions by predators. A Stoat killed several birds including some psittacines and a Fox killed many more specimens, mostly waterfowl and pheasants, over a period of several weeks until it was finally thwarted by an electric fence.
Dear Parrots magazine,
When reading the ‘Letters’ section in the last issue (160), it would appear that the issue of the National Parrot Zoo has surfaced once again. I have never been there but have spoken to others who have and the opinions I have received indicate that there are clearly issues that need to be addressed.
Dear Parrots magazine,
When I bought my aviary three years ago, I could not make up may mind whether or not the roof should completely cover the flight, but opted for one that did.
Dear Parrots magazine,
I am writing in addition to the letters written by David Woodbury and Greg Glendell in last months Parrot’s Magazine regarding the National Parrot Sanctuary.
Dear Parrots magazine,
It is very clear that Malcolm Green is as passionate about improving avian nutrition as I am. I welcome the information he shared, especially since it was different than what my research uncovered. I especially appreciated his perspective of iron storage disease. One key point his letter supports is the fact that we do need more humane research done in the area of avian nutrition - both for each particular species and then refining this to individuals within each species.
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