Pepper, a six-year-old cockatoo stolen from Staglands Wildlife Reserve in New Zealand, has been safely returned after being found in Porirua.
A young man, who had unknowingly purchased Pepper earlier in the week, recognised her from a news story and took her to the police. Staglands staff were reunited with Pepper at the Porirua Police Station on Friday night.
The young man reportedly paid $1,500 for Pepper after buying her online. Upon seeing her story on TV, he quickly did the right thing, taking her to the nearest police station. Constable Tushar, on his first day working the front line, cared for Pepper until her keepers arrived.
Staglands manager Sarah Purdy expressed her gratitude, calling it “an early Christmas miracle.” Pepper was thinner than usual after her ordeal but is otherwise healthy and happy to be home. The reserve has since moved her to a safer aviary to prevent future incidents.
Police are investigating the seller of the cockatoo, using information provided by the young man. Staglands staff also thanked the community for their support, crediting the news coverage for helping bring Pepper home.
“This couldn’t have had a better ending,” Purdy said.
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