Zoo Critter Stows Away on Motorhome

What's a foot and a half tall, is blue and gold, makes lots of noise--and evidently likes RVing? That would be Chuva, the macaw parrot, recently of the Vancouver, BC zoo. Zoo officials were alarmed, when a week-ago this Monday, Chuva couldn't be found. Since her wings had been clipped, officials were convinced that she hadn't literally flown the coop, but the the clipped parrot could have been kipped.

Big news in the papers. Tips flooded in. 'Psst--your bird is being held in Aldergrove,' came one "tip." A tip that didn't pan out. Three days later though, a call came in that was the relief zoo officials were looking for. It seems a family who'd been visiting the zoo with their motorhome had heard strange noises emanating from beneath their rig. Sure enough, Chuva had stowed away in the motorhome undercarriage, making a short trip to a nearby suburb. Chuva was 'a wee bit peckish'--er--hungry, but none the worse for wear.

Perhaps it's just as well Chuva hasn't learned English. We might not want to hear her commentary on bouncing Bounders. At least not from the basement.

photo: langely advance