Wendy Huntbatch dedicated most of the last 25 years of her life to caring for parrots that had been given up by their owners.
That dedication gave birth to the World Parrot Refuge in Coombs, where as many as 800 parrots lived. However, when Huntbatch died in February, the refuge began to unravel.
Today, 450 to 500 macaws, cockatoos, lovebirds, conures and other birds need homes by Aug. 1. Volunteers and the Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary in Surrey are helping in the effort, but it’s a challenge.
Parrots, which Huntbatch believed should not be pets, can be difficult housemates. Because they can live to age 75, they’re apt to outlive their owners. Today, we take a look inside the refuge as the remaining staff look after the birds and try to find them homes.
