Lily and Margot, the two blue-throated macaws
Two fugitive and critically endangered parrots that escaped from London Zoo have been found more than 60 miles away. Lily and Margot, the two blue-throated macaws, aged two, flew away on October 21 (Monday) during their daily routine flight, prompting frantic search efforts by zoo officials, with several people sharing tips about spotting the pair in the following days. The London Zoo has even issued an official statement urging people to come forward with information and not feed the rare birds.
“They eat all kinds of things, like sunflower seeds and nuts, but they look for fallen seeds. London is such a noisy city, so it's much harder to find your way back among the calls of other birds. That's why we're the to expand the search,” London Zoo said in a statement.
“We do not encourage people to pet and feed them. If anyone sees them, please send a photo and exact location to the zoo, using the What3Words app,” it added.
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Birds spotted
It was only when a family in Cambridgeshire alerted officials to the rare parrots perched in a tree in their backyard that their location became definitive.
When zoo bird keepers arrived on scene on Sunday, the two sisters fled the scene but were quickly traced to a field and public footpath in Brampton. When one of the bird keepers approached them, the two birds immediately flew into their arms.
After the rescue, the parrots were treated to pumpkin seeds, walnuts and pecans and returned to the zoo. Both are believed to be in good condition and are now in quarantine at the local hospital. Soon they will both join their parents Popeye and Ollie.
Zoo officials said the two birds had “previously taken a detour through the zoo's trees, but this time they ventured further afield,” sparking a fear-filled search operation. It is believed that only 400 of these bird species remain in the wild.
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