70-year-old cockatoo missing after break-in at Whanganui’s Rotokawau Virginia Lake aviary

Grant Rogerson says "no one is going to buy" the missing bird because of its age. Photo / NZME

The Rotokawau Virginia Lake aviary in Whanganui is down one cockatoo after a suspected break-in.

On Tuesday morning, aviary staff found the wire mesh door inside the cockatoo enclosure had been forced open, with one of the four birds missing, a Whanganui District Council spokesperson said.

“A member of the public reported seeing two men yesterday [Monday] climbing on the outside of the enclosure and trying to break the mesh,” they said.

“We’ve been told they were also annoying the birds and blowing vape into their faces.”

The aviary is owned and operated by the council, and the Friends of the Aviary Trust assists with fundraising for the facility.

Trust chairman Grant Rogerson said he hoped the aviary’s security cameras would identify who broke in.

He said it was common for people to steal exotic birds but it was the first break-in at the aviary that he was aware of.

“A couple of years ago, I actually had two Alexandrine parrots stolen from my house. I was working in the workshop next door and they just snuck in.

“But the missing cockatoo is 70 years old. No one is going to buy it.

“They’re not that friendly, either. If they bite you, you’re going to lose your finger. They’ve got a fairly solid beak on them.”

Earlier this month, the Virginia Lake Cafe next door to the aviary was broken into, with cash, tablets and phones stolen.

A 19-year-old man was arrested and charged with burglary.

“This sort of thing is only hurting the public,” Rogerson said.

“It’s really disappointing.”

Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe said he was gutted about “our cheeky cockatoo going missing”.

“It’s not a prank, it’s just cruel and daft. These noisy locals are Whanganui treasures,” he said.

“If you spot a lone sulphur-crested cockatoo looking lost or have any info, please call police with the reference number (OR-2502915N) or email yourcouncil@whanganui.govt.nz.”

Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.