Urgent appeal to find zoo's missing macaw

A large green parrot has gone missing from a Stourbridge zoo, prompting an urgent call for help to locate her.

Fern, a macaw, is one of the free fliers at Wild Zoological Park - but did not return after an overnight flight earlier this week.

The bird, which has a large red patch above its beak, was last seen in the Cleobury Mortimer area of Shropshire.

Owner Zachary Hollinshead told the BBC that Fern, who is blind in one eye, was taken high by thermals linked to warm weather.

"Fern and her sister Willow are frequent visitors of Claverley and surrounding areas. Willow returned after a big flight over Claverley but Fern did not," he said.

"If anyone sees her, please let us know as we're worried. While she's used to being free and out and about, we're concerned about the heat and lack of water and she's usually home by now."

People have been warned not to touch the bird to avoid scaring her off.

Hollinshead said: "Please do not try [to] touch her - we need to get to her as quickly as possible. She was last seen on Clee Hill we were moments away when she was scared off."

Recalling the events leading up to Fern's disappearance, he added: "She took off as usual with her sister. They're both used to being free and out and about. They fly every day.

"Her sister returned home as usual but Fern is lost. She's blind in one eye and can't cope well on her own without her sister as a guide."

The zoo has asked anyone that comes across Fern to contact them as soon as possible.

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