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MEET HENRY
Henry, White fronted (Spectacled) Amazon
Amazona albifrons
Had a guardian angel not intervened more than 5 years ago, Henry would certainly be dead. According to Henry’s rescuer, this is what Henry endured for over 30 years: For the first 15 years he was kept in conditions unfit for any companion animal, let alone a parrot taken from the wild. The second 15 years found Henry at the mercy of relatives of the original owners. Friends with a relative of these owners, Henry’s rescuer first met Henry 20 years ago and vowed that she would get him out of that house. Along with a cockatoo that lived in the same house, she reported that Henry was the recipient of constant abuse and neglect. He lived in a finch carrier which measured 10” x 10”. He was routinely backhanded, punted like a football across the floor for the amusement of his owners, and had objects thrown at him when the owner’s behavior became volatile. He was kept caged in the dark or covered, while his diet consisted of black sunflower seed, with an occasional treat of mashed potatoes. This rescuer agonized about Henry’s deplorable conditions and was never able to get Henry out of her thoughts. She had attempted to rescue Henry over the years by offering a variety of incentives to his owners – but was continually refused. Because she had firsthand knowledge of the years of torture that Henry suffered from his owners, one day she was finally able seize the opportunity to remove him and the cockatoo from their prison while the owners were away. The cockatoo wasn’t as lucky, and died just 3 days later, most likely from chronic neglect. All those years, Henry’s rescuer believed that Henry was a Mitred conure – she knew next to nothing about birds, she just knew that the way Henry was being treated was wrong.
Once under her care, Henry’s savior began research on diet, caging and bathing. She also learned what species of bird she had. She had no expectations about how Henry should behave, only that he deserved a better life. Due to health and financial reasons, after caring for Henry for 5 years, she began searching for a safe and loving place for him, and found The Gabriel Foundation. Her wish was to ensure that he would never suffer again, and make his last years as pain free as possible while safe and comfortable with others of his own species. This hero literally saved his life.
Henry’s years of cruelty and neglect have taken a toll on him. Radiographs show evidence of long term nutritional deficit. Due to lack of vitamin D, his bones became softened, bent and deformed in a bow shape as his film shows. Visible are multiple, old fractures due both to softened bone and trauma/injury. On the radiographs, one can see his tailbone crumbled under. This type of injury is consistent with blunt force trauma, most likely from a kick and NOT a fall. Because of the unnatural stress on his skeleton, Henry has arthritic changes that are visible in multiple joints. Diagnostic testing shows that his liver is compromised due to chronic nutritional deficiency. His feet bear unnatural wear spots as a result of the body position he must maintain because he cannot straighten his legs. How does TGF’s team assess that Henry has quality of life? We can say that he looks “happy” when we observe him preening his BFF Pickles, when he becomes animated and emits chortling and squawking sounds, attempts to fan his tail and spread his wings. We hear him vocalizing like other amazons, thrilled with his progress because his rescuer detailed that he made almost no sounds for the first year after she brought him home. He continues to be wary of human hands, and with good reason. Happily, one of our devoted volunteers, Jamie B. DVM, has begun to steadfastly work with Henry to train him to comfortably take treats and then medications from a spoon, which lessens our need to physically handle him and to prevent further pain or injury.
It wasn’t long ago that a bird like Henry would perish, forgotten - a victim of years of abuse and neglect. Or, maybe he’d end up on consignment in a bird store, possibly sold at a bird mart, flea market, garage sale, through auction or in the classifieds. With the financial support of members, sponsors and donors like YOU, committed to helping support TGF’s far-reaching efforts, Henry will be able to enjoy the remainder of his life. Without you, his story would have a very different ending. This is truly the gift of love, and of life. Thanks to every one of you, and to all of the Henrys everywhere. You inspire us every single day.
Please make a tax deductible donation to The Gabriel Foundation today and help Henry and those like him to receive the love and care they so deserve.
See more pictures of Henry, including the radiographs of his injuries.
CLICK HERE TO READ TGF'S POSITION STATEMENT ON BREEDING
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