Exotic Birds Escape Dallas Zoo
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – With the freedom of open air and strong winds behind them, two exotic birds flew the coop Friday at the Dallas Zoo.
The pair of blue-throated macaws "took a wrong turn" during the Zoo's SOAR: A Festival of Flight event, which lets the animals freely fly over the audience.
"In 35 years of producing free-flight bird shows, we've never lost a bird," said Steve Martin, president of Natural Encounters Inc., which produces the show. "It is likely that the birds will show up yelling at the top of their lungs in a tree near a home."
The SOAR event had been open less than a month when the birds flew away. A supervisor with Natural Encounters blamed the escape on strong winds, which "blew them off course."
"We encourage the birds to fly over the tree tops and around the zoo before returning to the Wildlife Amphitheater," said supervisor Lindsey Morse.
Natural Encounters Inc. has issued a reward for information on their whereabouts. Call the zoo at 863.605.3309 if you can help.
The blue-throated macaws are found in Bolivia. Experts estimate between 100 and 150 are still alive.
"As the sun begins to set, they will start looking for home and vocalizing for their familiar trainers, who raised them as babies," Martin said.
