Bob Barker, renowned for his tenure as the host of the game show “The Price is Right,” is also a passionate advocate for animal rights. In Bladen County, residents are familiar with the Cape Fear Parrot Sanctuary (CFPS) in Pink Hill, an organization that has been educating local school children and community members about birds.
The collaboration between Barker and CFPS began last year when the sanctuary received a grant exceeding $3,000 from Barker’s foundation. This year, the support has grown, with a generous grant of $10,000 awarded to CFPS. A letter from the celebrity’s foundation highlighted its commitment to funding animal welfare organizations that significantly enhance the lives and well-being of animals.
This funding boost will aid Ces Erdman, the Director of the Sanctuary, in continuing his mission. CFPS is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and caring for parrots and other birds that are unwanted, neglected, abused, or whose owners can no longer provide for them. The sanctuary commits to offering these birds a permanent home and a healthy, lifelong habitat.
CFPS aims to construct large-scale aviaries in southeastern North Carolina, creating an environment where the birds can live naturally, fly, and socialize with others of their kind. Parrots are inherently social creatures, living in flocks and forming complex social structures in their natural habitats. They have evolved unique plumage and calls to communicate and often mate for life, playing a vital role in their ecosystems.
In America, parrots rank as the fourth most popular pet, following dogs, cats, and freshwater fish. People acquire them for various reasons, including companionship for children, replacing lost pets, or as a new hobby. Demand for these birds can also be influenced by popular media.
The sanctuary addresses issues arising from the booming parrot trade, particularly after the 1992 Wild Bird Conservation Act, which led to a surge in domestic breeding and the establishment of ‘parrot mills.’ These facilities have produced hundreds of thousands of parrots annually, exacerbating the problem of unwanted and neglected birds.
CFPS, situated on six acres in Pink Hill, NC, seeks to expand and provide a space where these birds can fly freely, socialize, and live out their lives naturally. With less than ten parrot sanctuaries in the entire United States, CFPS stands out as a unique and vital refuge for these animals.
For those interested in learning more about the sanctuary and its resident parrots, including a parrot that paints, the CFPS website offers a wealth of information and captivating photos. Among the highlights is Charlie, fondly known as the “Picasso of Parrots.” Visit the CFPS website at http://www.capefearparrotsanctuary.org/ for more details and to explore this remarkable sanctuary.
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