Home | Bird Behavior | Angus the Eclectus Parrot Video Controversy Rages…and Takes an Odd Twist

Angus the Eclectus Parrot Video Controversy Rages…and Takes an Odd Twist

Posted by: Frank Indiviglio in Bird Behavior, Bird Conservation, Bird Research or Recent News June 14, 2011 2 Comments 11331 Views

A YouTube video of an Eclectus Parrot clinging to the windshield wiper of a speeding car has recently enraged people around the world. Thousands followed the story on Facebook, petitioned the Victoria (Australia) Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to seize the bird, and called for the arrest (and worse!) of the owner. But the story developed new wrinkles, and it continues to grow stranger as time goes on…

Sir, why are you doing that?!

Angus’ owner claims that he drove around with his wing-clipped pet clinging to the windshield in order to give the bird the “experience of flight”. When interviewed, he seemed genuinely shocked by the public outcry against his action, which he filmed and posted on YouTube’s website.

In his experience, birds that were afraid of a situation tried to fly away (he had previously owned a cockatoo). Since Angus stayed put, the owner assumed he was not stressed. However, some birds, Eclectus Parrots and Bobwhite Quail among them, freeze for a time when threatened.

Accusations and Threats of Violence

The plot thickened when the accusation was made that Angus had been stolen from his rightful owner, or had been found by the now infamous new owner after escaping from his prior home. This turned out not to be true (the bird was micro-chipped), but by this point the story had taken on a life of its own.

Pleas for confiscation were made to the Victoria RSPCA, but the agency did not act swiftly enough to satisfy Angus’ many supporters. Angus’ owner was threatened with violence, and subsequently dropped out of sight. Someone who had interviewed the owner was also threatened when he/she would not reveal the owner’s address.

Angus is Confiscated

In time, the Victoria RSPCA confiscated Angus. Blood and other tests have revealed him to be in good health; his cage and general environment were also found to be adequate.

However, public/government bodies must tread carefully in highly publicized situations, so as of now a formal decision as the bird’s fate has not been made. Public comments continue to flood various forms of social media – you can read these here, but please be aware that some people use very strong language.

Prolog…A Hunger Strike

In the course of my work, I’ve been involved in quite a few animal confiscations and closures of poorly-run public collections. And while a cast of odd characters usually surfaces, in most cases the responsible public authority makes a decision and that is that.

However, not so with the Angus story. In order to make known his objection to the seizure, Angus’ owner has embarked on a public hunger strike, and is reportedly engaging in some quite bizarre behavior (Hint from my experience: this is not likely to favorably influence the RSPCA!).

Animal abuse, and the airing of videos depicting abuse, is a serious problem; those involved in such activities are often guilty of criminal offenses against people as well. I’m not sure at this point if the Angus incident involves ignorance or cruelty, or both, but I hope it is soon resolved and that all involved learn something of use in the process. Please see the article linked below to learn how to report incidents of animal abuse, and what else you can do to help.

Gert
June 16, 2011 at 8:49 am

Hallo Frank

What an unimaginable story! What is interesting to me is the fact, as to how many emotions are flared up by this story(in my opinion rightful so). What REALLY concerns me though is the fact that incidents or even annual events like dog fighting, rooster fighting, even Siamese fighting fish competitions etc do not stare up such great waves…?
Is it because there is money involved and most public uproars are rather “paid” to silence…?
What ever the case may be, I am really glad this Angus indecent came to the light!These things are serious!!! Luckily nothing happened to Angus and even his physical health seemed not to have taken a tole! Also no intended harm was done to the bird(rather questionable). BUT it does come out that even our stupidity can and all so often WILL harm our pets…let alone other human beings!
Lets just hope that we also act so seriously when intentional harm to animals and humans comes to light…!!!

Thanxzzz again for your so valuable input in nature!

Regards
Gert from Namibia
findiviglio
June 16, 2011 at 11:11 am

Hello Gert, Frank Indiviglio here.

Thanks …you raise a good point. Lack of knowledge/poor research causes deaths etc…this case was unique, but people keeping birds and esp herp and inverts make major mistakes all the time.

Animal fighting goes on here in the US, although illegal, but does draw major concern when uncovered (cock-fighting “stadium” in the Bronx no so long ago, etc.)…now there is a furor over a virtual dog-fighting game – no sure if these folks know actual animal torture videos are out there, and apparently protected and untouchable?/..ah well, perhaps odd stories just catch the eye, and take on a life of their own.. I sometimes am amazed that some incidents, i.e. the angus story outshine some of the many child-abuse cases that arise every day in the US…new rules these days, I think!

I once saw a co-workers 13 yr old daughter laughing as she “killed” a groundhog in an internet game – very sad, and scary….

Please let me know if you need any further information. Good luck, enjoy and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

About Frank Indiviglio

Read other posts by Frank Indiviglio

I believe that I was born with an intense interest in animals, as neither I nor any of my family can recall a time when I was not fascinated by creatures large and small. One might imagine this to be an unfortunate set of circumstances for a person born and raised in the Bronx, but, in actuality, quite the opposite was true. Most importantly, my family encouraged both my interest and the extensive menagerie that sprung from it. My mother and grandmother somehow found ways to cope with the skunks, flying squirrels, octopus, caimans and countless other odd creatures that routinely arrived un-announced at our front door. Assisting in hand-feeding hatchling praying mantises and in eradicating hoards of mosquitoes (I once thought I had discovered “fresh-water brine shrimp” and stocked my tanks with thousands of mosquito larvae!) became second nature to them. My mother went on to become a serious naturalist, and has helped thousands learn about wildlife in her 16 years as a volunteer at the Bronx Zoo. My grandfather actively conspired in my zoo-buildings efforts, regularly appearing with chipmunks, boa constrictors, turtles rescued from the Fulton Fish Market and, especially, unusual marine creatures. It was his passion for seahorses that led me to write a book about them years later. Thank you very much, for a complete biography of my experience click here.