Today Alexandre and I went out to lunch. We parked and were walking through a neighborhood to get to the restaurant. We passed a two-story apartment building, and on the second floor balcony of one of the apartments was a poor little golden-capped parakeet! You may remember last year when I saw these flying around in Caipirópolis and I was super excited because they're an endangered species. They're easy to identify because of their bright red heads (they also have a distinct call-- well, distinct to me, because I'm a nerd).
But the poor little guy! Some bastard was keeping it as a pet!! It needs to be somewhere reproducing to save the species! They're also birds that mate for life and get depressed if they're alone. :( :(
So you can take the girl out of America...
As soon as we got home from lunch, I looked up the information on how to report people that have wild animals as pets. I found two email addresses, one from IBAMA (like EPA) and one from RENCTAS, which is the national animal trafficking watchdog group. I also found the local phone number for the "environment police". Ha. I just love that translation. Anyway, just for good measure, I sent emails to both and also called the local department and made a report. The guy didn't sound very promising, but maybe he's just sad he has to work on Sunday afternoon when the game is on. In any case, if he flakes out, hopefully one of the emails will make something happen.
So take that, endangered animal owner!
I'm gonna drive by there again in a couple of weeks and see if it's still there. I hope the little guy is saved!
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If the guy doesn't do anything about it you should call him again and let him know you are going to contact your local "Vereador" "City Council" to ask for "help" with the issue.
ReplyDeleteHe will do something about it just to get you off his back... ;)
Ray
That was so nice of you, Danielle, hats off to you - so many other people usually just walk away even if it bothers them - I once reported a neighbor once for being mean to his dog (keeping it outside in a cage when it was just so cold) and they did come out and check on my complaint. I hope they do something about your little friend! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGood for you Danielle! Set an example. I hope action is taken.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean by "You can take the person out of America - but not America out of the person." I feel ya.
You and your birds remind me of the girl in Rio - the movie. Cute!!
ReplyDeleteI hope they do something because I'm tired of people (authorities, especially) not doing anything. :)
Good for you,Danielle !
ReplyDeleteKeep watching to make sure something is done and don't give up. That poor bird needs to be free !
Good for you! People can be so F'ing stupid!!!
ReplyDeleteI would have done the exact same thing. I once called the county on a friend of mine who left her dog chained up and neglected outside with a little shed for shelter.
ReplyDeleteThe prominence of caged birds in the city makes me sad. I'm so used to seeing birds in the wild that it just does not compute when I encounter caged birds. Good for you, Danielle! If Brazilian birds have any kind of an advocate, it's you for sure! Keep us updated!
ReplyDeleteWhat a good samaritan you are! it is so, so sad to see animals being mistreated, especially wild ones. Maybe you could join the "environment police".
ReplyDeleteGood for you. Stick it to the man!
ReplyDeleteActually, the man didn't do anything in this case.
Stick it to the loser!