JULY 2023
■ THE second half of the year started on a positive note, as a missing young macaw called Baby was found safe and well. The nine-month-old military macaw (Ara militaris) flew away from keepers at Wingham Wildlife Park in Kent during her free-flight time after a couple of gulls had swooped in and startled her.
■ IN MORE bird-park news, the Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch, Kent,was forced to shut down its bird of prey displays and rehome its 12 resident birds owing to new legislation that made keeping the birds too expensive.
■ ON JULY 4, the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) that had been in place across Great Britain for captive birds and poultry was lifted, but poultry gatherings remained banned and mandatory restrictions continued to apply in Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zones.
■ THE second Pet Parrot Gathering, which is organised by the Parrot Society UK (PSUK), was held at the Stafford County Showground on July 8. The event) owned by Ashley Jade won best bird on the day.
