Left: Fortunately the galah sustained no serious injuries and has recovered completely from the ordeal. He is still in the care of WIRES to keep him safe from possible poisoning, which is affecting wild birds at the moment, with the wide-spread use of mouse bait. Right: Steve McGrath came to the rescue with his cherry picker to reach the distressed galah high up in the date palm tree
They say there are days when you should not get out of bed, especially when your pet dog has got a gripe. Saturday 29th May was one such day in Currajong Street, Parkes.
For years we have been blessed with the frequent visits from two paired galahs (known as the local yokel entertainers’ troupe) who have their play dates in our neighbours’ date palm. They giggle along with their acrobatics in the palm fronds hanging upside down and jumping up and down playing silly games in the fruit pods much to our delight and encouragement. We feel they are a part of the family so to speak.
At about 10:30am I commented to my husband with great affection… “that silly galah is there by itself acting the fool and showing off again”. When, hanging out the next load of washing I observed that the galah was in trouble and ran next door to my neighbour, who was also concerned for the parrot’s welfare.
So, we set about seeking help… It was most frustrating ringing for assistance. First the SES advised us to ring the local police who then explained that such rescues were the concern of the local fire brigade. The fire brigade believed the Council would be the best to ring. The after hours number in Sydney advised us to ring the fire brigade on the 000 number. The lady on the phone on the emergency line suggested we ring WIRES.
The galah was hanging upside down with his feet all tangled up in the palm fronds.
As time wore on we were losing hope of saving the entrapped parrot as we believed we did not have any WIRES volunteers in Parkes anymore. But, a lovely local resident and WIRES volunteer came to our assistance. Confronted with the Galah some 10 metres up, she once again called the fire station and a lovely, caring firie called Jacob came to assess the situation, which had now gone on for more than two hours.
Our firie looked in dismay as he knew the bird could not be freed from even the tallest of ladders available safely. We were all becoming increasingly distressed seeing the bird becoming further entangled in the cotton-like fibre of the date palm fronds. With thinking caps on it was decided the only way of safely rescuing the bird was with a cherry picker, and Steve McGrath arborist extraordinaire, came to the rescue! He said he’d be there in half an hour.
Up, up and up they went armed with pruners, gloves and a comfortable bag to remove the entangled galah!
Hooray, hooray as Steve and co safely removed our resident galah. We were all so relieved and happy and gathered around for hot tea and scones!
Thank you WIRES and Steve McGrath! Note: It was distressing to learn that family pets can be rescued readily by some services, but uncaged beloved family friendly animals (wild by definition) were not considered for rescue.
By Bev Rowe
Members of public can call WIRES on 1300 094 737 or report online through wires.org. au for help with wild animals in distress. With the current mouse bait situation, if you find more than five dead animals of the same species, please make a report to the EPA’s 24-hour Environment Line on 131 555.