This week I traveled to Te Anau to speak with the community about Charlie's sudden move away from her home of 24 years. As expected, I have connected with many more people who love and treasure Charlie. 

Some stories go back two decades, when Charlie was a young bird. She found hit by a vehicle on the road to Milford Sound, Piopiotahi, and suffers arthritis from those old injuries. She was lovingly rehabilitated as a juvenile, and the woman who healed her continued to care for her over the years. Though Charlie can not be released, she has had an impact on the community. 

When Charlie was young, trusted community members (and the occasional visiting student- me!) were allowed in with Charlie to keep her company and help her socialize. Charlie never learned to 'be a parrot' so these early interactions were so important for her, but also for the people who visited her and got to enjoy her bouncy, friendly self. Imagine being up close with a young parrot in a big aviary and having her choose to play with you!

As she grew older, she began to bond with the parrots who lived near her. She was given a partner, Bling, and raised many happy chicks for release into the wild. Sadly, DOC (Dept of Conservation) management took Bling away a few years ago. After partnering Charlie with another male, Jimmy, management took him away too. Charlie is resilient, but that does not mean she should endure ongoing mismanagement. She has been separated from her partners, and now from her keepers and community. Furthermore, DOC want to keep Charlie near her previous partners but without access to them (as reported by Stuff), which will cause her further stress and frustration. 

Parrots are highly social birds with long memories. These disruptions to Charlie Girl's life are unacceptable.

I have heard many stories of Charlie Girl the last few days. It is heartbreaking that a group of managers have made a decision to move her. They did not announce the move, and they took her away before people could say good bye.

I've already discussed Charlie Girl's special needs and how her keepers in Te Anau go above and beyond for her. She should be reunited with these amazing people.

Our support for Charlie is growing, and more community members and organizations are speaking out. Government representatives have been contacted and are investigating. Stuff released a news article on Charlie's move and this petition. But even so, we still need your help!

It is important to show the Dept of Conservation that Charlie Girl still has support. They are hoping this story will blow over. They need to know that Charlie Girl belongs at home.

Please share this petition, even if you have already done so. Know a bird lover? Please send them an email. Share on social media and ask people to support Charlie, even if you already shared before. We need to grow our movement and our voice. DOC can not be allowed to keep Charlie from her community.

Over 90% of our signatures have come from social media. Please ask your friends to sign and share - they can skip the boost feature. Every signature makes a difference so we can bring Charlie home.