ANOTHER KIND OF SANCTUARY --
Avian Rehabilitation in Native Lands

By Mary Nogare, Snoqualmie, WA

Bird sanctuaries and rescues--we know what those are.  They are places where birds are taken when their owners are no longer able to care for them or for whatever reason, no longer wish to keep them. Bird sanctuaries and rescues also are places where birds that have been abused, neglected, or held under poor conditions are taken to receive necessary veterinary care. Hopefully, all these birds eventually find homes with people who will take proper care of them.

There is another kind of bird sanctuary--another kind of rescue.  This rescue works in or near areas where wild birds have been trapped for illegal sale.  One such rescue facility is the Rehabilitation Center Kembali Bebas* on Seram Island, Indonesia.

Kembali Bebas is part of the Indonesian Parrot Project of Project Bird Watch.  According to PBW/IPP Director Stewart Metz, MD, this rehabilitation center “is currently home to more than 100 cockatoos, parrots and lories.  Most are wild psittacines confiscated by the Indonesian authorities from smugglers and trappers, and turned over to us for care.  Some birds can be released back into the wild; some will be given sanctuary for life in our center, especially those who have sustained major injuries.” 

Seram birds that have been confiscated on Seram (trapped on the island and confiscated before being shipped) are given a veterinary examination, checked for diseases and treated as needed.  Whenever possible, they are rehabilitated and then released back into their forest homes.  These birds are the lucky ones.

Other birds that come to the sanctuary are in very poor condition.  This is due to the way they are treated during smuggling operations, which can originate in areas other than Seram.  These operations include stuffing living birds into PVC pipes or other unsuitable containers for transport.  The birds receive poor care with little or no food, water, or basic care during the smuggling operation.  Below are photos of Eclectus parrots that were confiscated and brought to Kembali Bebas.  As the photos illustrate, these birds were in very poor condition when brought to the sanctuary, and their improvement while at Kembali Bebas has been dramatic.

As with the Seram birds, all that come to the sanctuary are medically examined and treated for diseases. Then whenever possible, they are rehabilitated.  Birds that are too severely injured to return to the wild, or are species/subspecies that either cannot be returned to their natural range or the range cannot be determined (such as Eclectus subspecies), will be provided a home at the sanctuary for life. It is hoped that in the future, new release sites will be constructed on islands other than Seram, thereby permitting the release of some of these birds as well.

ADOPT A WILD PARROT

The Indonesian Parrot Project / Project Bird Watch is a 501 (c) (3), all volunteer, not-for-profit corporation.  To learn more about IPP/PBW, Kembali Bebas, the Kembali Bebas Adopt a Wild Parrot program, and ways that you can help, please visit their website:

http://indonesian-parrot-project.org/aboutus/aboutus1.html

 *”Kembali Bebas” means “Return to Freedom” in Indonesian

Photo #1:  Female Eclectus before she was brought to Kembali Bebas.  This photo of her was taken in the place from which she was rescued. Her food was scraps and fruit rinds.  She had been almost starved to death.  Photo courtesy of Project Bird Watch

Photo #2:  A pair of Eclectus in very poor condition kept in Government offices prior to being brought to Kembali Bebas in March 2006.  Photo courtesy of Project Bird Watch

Photo #3:  Close-up of the female of the pair.  Her poor condition and the inadequate cage are quite evident.  Photo courtesy of Project Bird Watch.

Photo #4:  This is the female from Photo #1 who was starving before being rescued.  Her condition is much improved after eleven months at Kembali Bebas.  However, Dr. Metz warns that although she looks good, it will be several months before she is considered to be strong and healthy again.  Photo courtesy of Project Bird Watch.

Photo #5:  This is the same Eclectus pair seen in Photos #2 and #3 in July 2006.  Their improvement under the intensive care at Kembali Bebas is very dramatic but not complete.  Photo by Bonnie Zimmermann, Project Bird Watch.