Vandals 'cut hole' and let parrot escape from Musselburgh aviary in ‘malicious’ act as police carry out probe

A parrot has been reported missing in Musselburgh after a hole was cut through its aviary in a local park.

Pollyanna, described as a small green and grey coloured quaker parrot with a band round one of its feet, disappeared from its enclosure at Lewisvale Park in Inveresk, some time between 3.30pm on Wednesday and 7.30am on Thursday.

Park maintenance worker Adam Gordon was first to discover the bird missing on Thursday morning and believes someone deliberately reached through the bars at the front of the aviary and cut a hole in the mesh covering, in an attempt to let the parrot fly out or steal her.

He is now appealing to any locals who spot the parrot to get in touch with him directly on 07979007321.

Speaking to the Edinburgh Evening News, Mr Gordon said it was upsetting to think someone was capable of carrying out such a “malicious” act and he has reported the incident to police.

Mr Gordon, who is from Prestonpans and works for the council by maintaining the park, said: “I was shocked this morning. Obviously you are feeding the birds every morning and you sort of get attached to them, and it was a bit of a shock finding out she had just disappeared.

“It was definitely deliberate and I don’t understand why. I don’t know if they took her or just cut a whole to let her out for devilment. She is quite friendly so there’s a good chance she came up to them.”

Pollyanna was the only bird housed in the middle partition of the aviary, with sections either side containing cockatiels and budgies and canaries not targeted. The damage to the mesh has since been fixed.

Pollyanna was reported missing from its aviary at Lewisvale Park on Thursday morning. Pic: Adam Gordon

Mr Gordon said Pollyanna had been a “bit of a crowd pleaser” for families and children since they took her in a couple of years ago, after the bird was given to them by a member of the public.

The quaker parrot, also known as monk parakeet, is native to South America and adults measure about 11ins (29cm) in length and have a lifespan of about 30 years. They are very intelligent birds and have the potential to be very friendly and playful and have excellent mimicking ability.

Mr Gordon said he has worked for the council for about 20 years and that this is the first time he has heard of the aviary being vandalised.

He is asking the public to get in touch if they see her - either out in the open or being advertised for sale online.

The damage done to the aviary. Pic: Adam Gordon

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We were made aware of damage caused to an enclosure and a parrot missing at Lewisvale Park near Musselburgh around 10.10am on Thursday, April 8.

"Inquiries are ongoing and at an early stage."

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