Kamloops resident Stephanie Carter, far right, reunites missing cockatiel with its family on April 10, 2022.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Tian Yu
April 12, 2022 - 6:30 AM
The family of a cockatiel who went missing in Kamloops a few days ago got a happy and surprising reunion yesterday.
With overnight temperatures dipping below zero, the family was frantic to get the tropical bird named YoYo safely back home after it flew out an open door around noon on Friday, April 8.
It turns out the bird just wanted to go shopping.
READ MORE: Kamloops family desperate to find missing cockatiel
YoYo was found walking around the Winners parking lot by his rescuer Stephanie Carter yesterday morning, April 10, almost 48 hours after it escaped. The bird both walks and flies, and made it over a kilometre and across Highway 1 from Gleneagles Drive in Upper Sahali to Columbia Street in Lower Sahali.
“I was just about to leave the parking lot and turn onto Notre Dame when I noticed a bird in the middle of the road,” the Kamloops resident said. “It didn’t look like a native bird so I turned around. I recalled seeing a missing bird post on Facebook somewhere.”
Carter parked and saw a car stop suddenly to avoid hitting the bird. The driver spoke to her and they agreed the bird was a pet and needed to be rescued. She then knelt down and held out her hand to YoYo.
“I thought it would fly away,” she said. “He walked right over and onto my hand. He was obviously cold and stayed put on my hand while I looked in my trunk for a box or something. The other people pulled over and provided a box.”
Carter looked up the missing bird post on Facebook and called the phone number.
“The lady and her kids pulled in and she was crying and came and gave me a big hug," she said.
READ MORE: ‘El Diablo’ the devilish grouse of Sun Peaks gains 'cult-like' following
YoYo’s owner Tian Yu said after receiving the call from Carter, the relieved and excited family drove over right away.
“Thank you for everyone who helped search for him,” she said.
Yu said upon returning home the bird buried his head in his food, ate and fell asleep. There was a bit of dried blood on his chest but otherwise Yu said the bird is in good shape.
YoYo and Sweetie are seen snuggling on April 10, 2022.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Tian Yu
She later saw YoYo snuggling with the family’s other bird, Sweetie.
“It was the first time I saw a bird hug,” she said.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2022