Three parrots returning back to their owner after flying freely at the Iskandar Polo Club in Tambun.
IPOH: The Perak state government is urging more parrot owners to register with the newly-established Perak Parrot Association (PBKTP) in order to keep their birds legally, says Perak exco member Loh Sze Yee.
The state Tourism Committee chairman said currently there were 150 members registered with the newly set-up PBKTP.
“However, I believe there are a lot more people who are keeping these birds as pets without permits or licences.
“It is very important to get a permit to keep parrots. So come forward and liaise with the association, and the committee will help owners apply for the appropriate licence,” he told reporters after officiating at the association's launch at the Iskandar Polo Club here Sunday (June 2).
Over 30 types of parrots were brought to the event by their owners, including the Blue and Gold Macaw, Eclectus, Congo African Grey and the Red Bellied Macaw.
Loh said this association was the second one in the country after one was formed in Putrajaya.
“These birds, I was told, must be given a lot of love, affection and care.
“They must be trained to fly freely, after which they fly back to their owners. But there are people who keep parrots as pets, but continue to keep them in cages, which can cause the birds to fall into depression,” he added.
Loh said by joining the association, owners could bring their birds outdoors, especially in green environments, to let them mingle with one another.
“I was told that parrots are very community based birds, and they liked meeting and flying with their kind.
“The state government will also be working with the association to hold many eco-tourism events to boost tourism in the state.
“For a start, at the end of the year, we are planning an event, if not international, at least a large-scale national level event involving parrot owners being allowed to freely fly their birds in the wild.
“Perak has a vast forested area, and we want to make use of this to hold an event to attract more parrot owners to participate, and of course, get more tourists to visit the state to witness the event,” he added.
Loh said the majoirty of pet parrots here were from Australia, India, Africa and Brazil.
