Stolen cockatoo returned to Whanganui’s Rotokawau Virginia Lake aviary

The bird was returned in the early hours of March 11. Photo / NZME

A missing cockatoo is back at Whanganui’s Rotokawau Virginia Lake aviary.

The Chronicle reported on March 10 that the 70-year-old bird disappeared after a suspected break-in at the cockatoo enclosure early that morning.

On the same day, two men were seen climbing on the outside of the enclosure and trying to break the mesh.

They were also “annoying the birds and blowing vape into their faces”, the Whanganui District Council said.

A council spokesperson said the cockatoo had been returned in the early hours on March 11.

“He was spotted perched high on the outside of the enclosure, and aviary staff were able to catch him and return him to the aviary,” they said.

He was “completely unharmed – just a bit tired".

“He’s already enjoyed breakfast with his flatmates and will likely spend the rest of the day catching up on sleep after the ordeal.

“Given how bitey he was this morning, it’s safe to say he probably made his feelings about the whole experience very clear to the thieves.”

The spokesperson said police had been updated.

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.