The 42 birds from the Pueblo rescue continue to be evaluated as they continue on their road to recovery, medically and behaviorally. How they enjoy every delectable morsel of food offered to them – wasting nothing. Delilah and Jaya, the Moluccan cockatoos are out of quarantine and thriving beyond our wildest expectations! Snowflake, the Bare eyed cockatoo, is looking wonderful, and is slowly emerging from the shell of his extremely shy personality - food is his primary motivator! He is curious about people and the goings on around him, but still hesitant when we approach his cage.

The status of the 39 macaws remains in a holding pattern. We first and foremost consider the well being of each of these birds individually and as a flock. Because nearly all of the macaws have tested positive for the Psittacid Herpes Virus (PHV) it would be irresponsible of us to place these birds into a foster or adoptive home at the present time. PHV is contagious to other

New World (South and Central America) birds and different genomes of the virus have been identified. Research has not yet fully determined just how the virus is transmitted from one bird to another, so a cautious approach is imperative. Although a few of the macaws have tested PHV negative, there is the possibility of a false negative so subsequent laboratory testing will take place in mid-May.

Nearly 1/3 of the macaws are comfortable around people, but the others are still quite shy and prefer each other’s company to that of humans. Within the next two weeks we are moving the macaws out of their modular building, into a remodeled space at the Acoma location. We will begin working with them on an individual basis in a larger area, separate from the other birds housed there. Potential placement will be under special circumstances based on each bird’s lab results and their level of comfort interacting with people. We believe that it will be another six months before some of these birds may be available for adoption. We appreciate your patience and understanding of the circumstances surrounding this special flock, not to mention your contributions and sponsorship of each of the 42 birds. This support is crucial to our ability to house them and improve their lives – whatever their future brings.