The vibrant green parrots that grace the skies of Southern California are facing a brutal threat. Recent weeks have witnessed a disturbing increase in shootings targeting these beloved birds, leaving a trail of death and injury across the San Gabriel Valley. Cleo Watts, the compassionate caretaker at Cleo’s Critter Care/Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation facility in Pasadena, is on the frontlines of this unfolding tragedy.
Watts’ facility has been inundated with injured parrots. Of the sixteen brought in recently, a heartbreaking fourteen succumbed to their wounds. The surviving birds bear grim testament to the violence: broken wings, shattered legs, head trauma, and multiple gunshot wounds are commonplace. “It’s pretty gruesome,” Watts shares, her voice heavy with emotion. One parrot currently recovering suffered a wing injury back in May, highlighting the ongoing nature of this senseless attack.
The attacks aren’t isolated incidents. Watts describes a growing pattern of recovering wounded parrots from the communities of Temple City, South Pasadena, and Pasadena. While the perpetrator remains unknown, the severity of the injuries suggests a deliberate and malicious intent. The question that hangs heavy in the air is: why?
“There’s other things out there that are loud and annoying,” Watts reflects, “but we don’t go shooting them. I just feel that it’s unfair that these guys are being singled out.” Her words resonate with the growing public outcry against this senseless violence.
The California Department of Fish & Wildlife has issued a statement clarifying that these parrots are considered a domesticated species. As a result, local animal control agencies are taking the lead in the investigation. However, the gravity of the situation demands immediate attention. The potential penalties for the perpetrator are severe, ranging from misdemeanor charges to felony animal cruelty, the latter carrying a potential sentence of three years in state prison and a $20,000 fine.
At Cleo’s Critter Care, veterinary technician Kim Bacher works tirelessly to provide medical care to the injured birds. “If they don’t die from a shot to a main organ, or broken wings and legs,” she explains, “they will die from massive infection.” The fight to save these birds is a race against time, a testament to the dedication of individuals like Watts and Bacher who are battling against an appalling wave of cruelty.
The ongoing investigation is crucial not only to bring the perpetrator to justice but also to address the underlying reasons behind this disturbing trend. The senseless killing of these birds highlights a larger issue of animal cruelty and the need for greater awareness and protection of urban wildlife. The vibrant green parrots of Southern California deserve better than this brutal fate. Their survival depends on our collective action and commitment to protecting them.
