A man has been reunited with his pet parrot nine years after the bird was stolen during a burglary at his home. Robert Mortimer had resigned himself to never seeing Barney, an African grey parrot, again after the 2017 break-in in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
Mortimer had put up posters and offered a reward for Barney's return, but the trail went cold. The burglary also resulted in the death of the family's chihuahua, Paris, who was fatally injured by one of the burglars.
A Chance Discovery
On July 30, Barney was discovered hopping around a car park at an IKEA store in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, approximately 20 miles from Mortimer's former home. Animal rescue staff who found the parrot were able to identify him as Barney through his microchip. However, the phone number linked to the chip was outdated, as Mortimer had moved and changed his number in the intervening years.
Staff at the rescue center cross-referenced Barney's name and origin with news reports of his disappearance, which led them to contact a police officer who was able to trace Mortimer. "She called me up and said ‘Your parrot’s been found’,” Mortimer recounted. “I told her ‘He can’t have been’ – it was nearly ten years ago. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, I gave him up for dead a long time ago.”
A Long-Awaited Reunion
Barney, now 19 years old, was taken to Hillary Harry and Friends Wildlife Rescue in Diggle, near Oldham. Mortimer drove to collect him, bringing along Barney's old cage, which he had never discarded in the hope of a miracle. He had also been unable to bring himself to buy a replacement parrot.
"It’s just brilliant to have him back, it’s still sinking in that I’ve finally got my Barney again," Mortimer said. He noted that Barney is beginning to recognize him and has already started saying “Hello” and “Morning.” African grey parrots are known for their mimicry and can live for 40 years or more in captivity, forming strong bonds with their owners.