More than a dozen parrots found dehydrated and starving on Monday are recovering today inOrlando.
The birds were among 27 found still alive and about 50 dead at a property in Sebring where they had been held by a woman rescue personnel describe as a hoarder.
"This is by far the worst I've come across, and I've been dealing with birds for 25 years," said Jeff McLain, president of Orlando-based Parrots As Pets Rescue.
McLain said he was contacted Monday by caretakers of the rented property who discovered the birds.
Members of his group and another group, Florida Parrot Rescuetook the birds from a locked enclosure on the property where they had been packed into cages under a tarp.
The live birds were in the same cages with the carcasses, said Jennifer James of Florida Parrot Rescue.
The temperature in the room where the birds were found was 115 degrees.
"They were covered with bugs, spiders, roaches — the whole nine yards," McLain said.
Parrots as Pets Rescue took 15 quaker parrots, two green-cheeked conure parrots and one severe macaw.
The birds are recovering at Chief's Bird Cabin on Edgewater Drive in Orlando. The store, which sells exotic birds, is a partner of the rescue group, McLain said.
The birds have been cleaned and received water and food. A veterinarian is expected to visit them today.
Florida Parrot Rescue volunteers took the remainder of the birds, which included at least one African grey and seven Amazon parrots.
Both groups are accepting donations to help pay for the care and recovery of the birds.
"The vet costs on these guys will be at least $200 each," said McLain. "That's more than we can adopt them out for."
The birds will be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days. The rescue groups will then determine which birds have the temperament to be adopted out. The rest will be kept in permanent foster care.
Authorities in Highlands County are still trying to track down the woman who rented the property.
The birds were among 27 found still alive and about 50 dead at a property in Sebring where they had been held by a woman rescue personnel describe as a hoarder.
"This is by far the worst I've come across, and I've been dealing with birds for 25 years," said Jeff McLain, president of Orlando-based Parrots As Pets Rescue.
Members of his group and another group, Florida Parrot Rescuetook the birds from a locked enclosure on the property where they had been packed into cages under a tarp.
The live birds were in the same cages with the carcasses, said Jennifer James of Florida Parrot Rescue.
The temperature in the room where the birds were found was 115 degrees.
"They were covered with bugs, spiders, roaches — the whole nine yards," McLain said.
Parrots as Pets Rescue took 15 quaker parrots, two green-cheeked conure parrots and one severe macaw.
The birds are recovering at Chief's Bird Cabin on Edgewater Drive in Orlando. The store, which sells exotic birds, is a partner of the rescue group, McLain said.
The birds have been cleaned and received water and food. A veterinarian is expected to visit them today.
Florida Parrot Rescue volunteers took the remainder of the birds, which included at least one African grey and seven Amazon parrots.
Both groups are accepting donations to help pay for the care and recovery of the birds.
"The vet costs on these guys will be at least $200 each," said McLain. "That's more than we can adopt them out for."
The birds will be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days. The rescue groups will then determine which birds have the temperament to be adopted out. The rest will be kept in permanent foster care.
Authorities in Highlands County are still trying to track down the woman who rented the property.
