Parrots: You either love them or fear them. For a lot of people, there’s no real in-between. At least, that has been our experience seeing people volunteer and intern with us and having to learn how to work with and around these noisy, intelligent, and long-living animals.
As a rescue facility, we work directly with cases that deal with private home pet confiscations and illegal pet trade seizures. Two issues that are surprisingly still a big issue in Costa Rica, a place that prides itself on sustainability and conservation. Although, this is expected considering keeping a wild-caught bird has been a part of Costa Rican culture for generations. It wasn’t until this past decade that governing agencies such as the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) decided to make it against the law to harbor any native wildlife as a domestic pet. This law was a huge step in preventing poaching and other invasive activities, however, what about all the parrots already being kept as pets in people’s homes?
Now, keeping that parrot you inherited from grandpa, a 20-year-old Yellow-naped amazon named Lori is illegal. And by law, wildlife police can come and confiscate the bird, and consequently, you can be fined. That’s a problem and this is where the work of Toucan Rescue Ranch steps in.
Toucan Rescue Ranch, because of this law and thanks to younger generations surrendering these unwanted pets, has resulted in places like us becoming inundated by non-releasable parrots. This is in large part why Toucan Rescue Ranch provides sanctuary to 77 parrots, mostly comprising of the endangered yellow-naped amazon and less threatened Red-lored parrot. These parrots are all directly from the pet trade and more indirectly from this new law. Sadly, these animals are highly domesticated, coming to us knowing words, living on very poor diets, and in no condition to be a candidate for rewilding.
So where do we go from here?
Due to this large population of permanent residents, Toucan Rescue Ranch is doing a few things to help these displaced birds. First, we ensure they are provided a forever home with us, giving them professional care, premier diets, enrich their lives with toys and stimulus, and give them large outdoor enclosures with others. As highly social animals, we introduce them together to join bonds with one another, which for many, is the first time they get to socialize and be with their kind.
Beyond that, many become important educational ambassadors for their species. We have a small collection of permanent residents that are a part of our Educational Walks. As a part of our conversation with guests, we teach them about the plight of these species and ways to prevent the illegal pet trade, and the type of high-quality care it requires to keep a parrot happy in captivity. By doing this, we hope to start conversations for people to keep these animals in their wild homes, talk to their loved ones about what it means to have these animals as pets (and perhaps advise against it) and the issues that places like Costa Rica face due to this unsustainable demand.
Finally, to bring together Toucan Rescue Ranch’s approach to not only providing the best care but also contributing to these animals’ awareness and education is why we created the symbolic adoption program: Parrot Oasis!
Parrot Oasis is an extension of our existing Symbolic Adoption Program. With the help of a devoted intern, we established a unique program highlighting the cooky characters of some of TRR’s oldest and most charismatic residents! It is a program where, for a very small donation, you will contribute to the overall and ongoing care of your favorite bird. And, to tailor the program to these birds’ colorful personalities, we named them after some of your favorite Looney Tune characters! Plus, in return, you get a digitally downloadable package with bookmarks, an info poster, photos, and more!
So, what are you waiting for! Maybe become one of those people who LOVE parrots, not fear them. Get to know one in our care and help with its continuing love and care.
About the writer: Zara Palmer, is the Marketing Manager and Fundraiser/Education Supervisor. She is responsible for marketing and communications strategies, as well as the overall branding and image of the non-profit. She prepares annual marketing plans, creates campaigns and events, and analyzes the market and competitors. She also supervises the Education Center and its functions as well as the tourism sector of Toucan Rescue Ranch.
Comments(10)
Sue Tipper says:
September 6, 2021 at 1:39 pmHi
Here is my delama my husband got a parrot in his last marriage and when they split up his parrot went to live with his parents . His father just passed this last Xmas and his mom is finding it to much , we would gladly take him except we have a cat , who loves to stalk birds and we are terrified he will hurt Charlie !
Do you take parrots in and help find them new homes ?
Thank you
Sue
Zara Palmer says:
September 7, 2021 at 8:55 amWhere are you located? I would work with a local rescue center or adoption program in your community.
Muhammad junaid says:
April 30, 2022 at 2:10 pmHi guys, I’m interested to adopt big birds. Please let me know if somebody have. I have very good environmen for them. My kids love them a lot. Text me 916-8777-555
Zara Palmer says:
May 11, 2022 at 9:21 amWe are sorry for the confusion. We do not physically sell or adopt out any of the rescued wildlife in Toucan Rescue Ranch’s care. Our Adoption Program is purely symbolic and a unique way for supporters to donate to our mission and their favorite animal. If you wish to participate in this program and donate to TRR please contact [email protected]!
In Costa Rica, it is illegal to sell or own any native fauna. As a licensed rescue center, it is our duty to uphold the law and what it stands for. As well as being illegal in the country of Costa Rica, it is a core part of TRR’s mission to protect wildlife from the illegal pet trade – as this is something we combat every day.
We encourage you to never participate in the illicit trade of wildlife. Please make sure you are participating in ethical practices and ALWAYS do your homework before buying exotic wildlife.
ruth gazard says:
September 29, 2021 at 10:00 ami have two caique small parrots i found out i have asthma and the doctor don’t want me around my birds anymore
i had the boy since 2008 his right eye got damage but the vet said he can’t see from it but he is health and the girl since 2019 she is missing her stomach feather i got her that way the owner took ill and had no contact with the bird , the vet has her on vitamins to help grow back her feather but its take time. dr brook at Citrus park hospital 813-455-5427
MagallyMejia says:
January 12, 2022 at 10:29 pmSería muy feliz si tuviera un loro lo amaría mucho lo cuidaría con mucho amor
Maria says:
May 18, 2022 at 11:57 pmMe encanta los animales y estoy buscando adopter un loro.
Zara Palmer says:
July 26, 2022 at 10:41 amHola, si quieres hacer una donación para nuestro programa de adopción simbólica, rellena el formulario de nuestra página de adopción. https://toucanrescueranch.org/adopt/
mona says:
November 28, 2022 at 11:40 amI want to adopt a parrot/bird. Please let me know how can i do that?
Zara Palmer says:
December 8, 2022 at 9:23 amHi, we have a symbolic adoption program. You can learn about how to donate to this program by visiting https://toucanrescueranch.org/adopt/