Ady Gil World Conservation Is Assisting Portland TN Police Dept In The Rescue Of 116 Exotic Birds From Alleged Exotic Bird Mill

August 3, 2011

Portland, TN – Ady Gil World Conservation (AGWC) is assisting the Portland Police Department in a rescue of approximately 116 exotic birds living in horrendous conditions at an alleged exotic bird mill in Portland, TN, just outside Nashville. The Portland Police Department is seizing the birds.

"As someone who has rescued birds and gaven them a home. I do have first hand knowledge of the commitment of raising and being a guardian of birds. What I've seen today is a total abuse of living beings, without proper vet care, clean water and fresh food." - Ady Gil

AGWC is partnering with Animal Rescue Corps (ARC) to make this rescue possible. PetSmart Charities® donated much-needed sheltering supplies and equipment. This rescue is being performed in conjunction with: the Portland Police Department and generously assisted by the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, Wilson County DART, and New Leash on Life. The ARC Team and other responders are wearing respirators due to the threat of contracting psittacosis, a potentially fatal disease caused by exposure to bird fecal matter.

Hookbill Haven Aviary is a business front for a single occupancy home which contains 116 exotic birds living in hellish conditions. Responders on the scene said there are a staggering number of African Greys, Amazons, Cockatoos, Conures, Lovebirds, Pionus, Senegals and at least one Quaker parrot, an Illegal breed in Tennessee, living throughout the house, many of them without any safe structures or proper confinements. There are Roosters living in the kitchen. The many of the exotic birds have substantial feather loss and are showing obvious signs of illness. There is at least one dead exotic bird.

Speaking at the scene, Lieutenant Jones of the Portland Police Department said, "We are grateful to have a resource like Animal Rescue Corps to assist us in enforcing the laws of Tennessee"

AGWC is safely removing all of the birds and transporting them to an emergency shelter set up at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in Nashville. Each will receive a veterinary exam, appropriate vaccinations and any necessary immediate medical treatment by a team of local veterinarians. ARC will provide daily care until custody of the birds is determined and they can be placed with shelters and rescue groups.