Unlike Fat Sally, Kota had never tried to convince himself that he had big bones. He had tried to hide his growing proportions, but it was clear to him that he was getting fat. He took to sitting with his feathers fluffed up all the time. It was a bit like wearing ever-baggier T-shirts and yes it sort of worked, at first.
It wasn't long though before his growth was so considerable that bare skin emerged from between his dull feathers. The low slung under carriage that drooped between his legs grew and grew, as did "the padding" on his hips. Soon he altogether stopped looking like a parrot and started looking rather more like a giant bell.
Kota was fat, it was obvious and he didn't like it. His liver too was in terrible shape, possibly worse then an alcoholics he said. Sadly poor Kota was powerless to do anything about it. All he was fed were those delicious, oily and addictive sunflower seeds. They were like a dieters nightmare encased in a cute black and white striped suit. It goes without saying that Kota's living conditions were so diabolical that there was never a hope of him getting exercise.
It was as though Kota came from Houston. He ate too much fatty food and he never got any exercise. This situation is unfortunately normal for many people in Houston and it is normal for many parrots on Bonaire. Kota weighed about twice the weight he should have. So it was like a handsome Spanish man who might typically weigh 75 kgs (150lbs) actually weighing 150kgs or 300lbs.
Kota became so fat that his bell-bottom couldn't hold any more and so another rather more unsightly fatty lump grew on his neck. It was a grotesque double chin and Kota thought it made him look like a Turkey. For any parrot, and parrots Dear Reader as you know are second only to the great apes in terms of intelligence and rather more beautiful besides, to be treated this way was a humiliation.
Sadly for Kota, he was like a turkey and at best he could only waddle along. It seemed there was no hope of him ever flying again. In a strange way Kota was glad that the lump appeared and grew on the front of his neck. He had been having trouble perching and the weight on his neck helped balance that hanging on his behind. It did however mean there was even more weight on his feet.
Poor Kota had terrible feet problems. His ancestors had evolved over millions of years to perch on the branches of trees and yet here he was on a metal perch with a uniform diameter. Whenever he climbed down the rusty cage wire to the floor of his home the joints of his feet hurt as they arthritically flattened and stretched out.
From the floor of his cage Kota would occasionally see wild parrots as they flew past shimmering in the sunlight. Seeing the wild parrots inspired Kota but at the same time it left him utterly depressed and dejected, as he knew there was no hope for him. A wild parrot may live for over 40 years but the chance of Kota getting past 10 were incredibly slim. Truth be known in these moments Kota actually wished he was a Turkey. Kota wished he was a turkey, especially at this time of year, because he knew then there would be a good chance that some human or other would end his misery and roast him. This poor Kota believed was the only hope of changing his miserable life.
Dear Reader you will of course be aware that it doesn't have to be this way. You may not however be aware that you can help Kota. You can change Kota's life and many other parrots like him. With your support the Echo team will be able to provide veterinary care for these incredible individuals who have no option to choose a better life. Fatty lumps like Kota's can be removed with a simple surgery. In addition our charming Spanish vet Jon will be able to discuss with parrot owners how they could improve the care of their pet parrots. With your support the Echo team will be able to make repeat house visits to ensure these parrots are getting the good care they deserve.
Please visit http://www.razoo.com/story/Parrotcare-Bonaire and help birds like Kota by donating today.
(Donations are US tax deductible).
Does Kota’s bum look big to you?
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