Posted: July 30, 2008, 5 a.m. EDT
Courtesy The Oasis Sanctuary
Gulliver was kept in a makeshift cage by his caregivers on Fanning Island. |
Upon his release from quarantine on Aug. 7, 2008, Gulliver, the now famous blue-and-gold macaw, will celebrate his return to the United States with the Oasis Sanctuary staff and friends at a party at Balboa Park’s Pepper Grove in San Diego, Calif., on Aug. 9 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. or later.
In late June, Sybil Erden, director of the Oasis Sanctuary and ringleader of “team Gulliver,” flew to Christmas Island with Todd Driggers, an Oasis Sanctuary veterinarian, to transport Gulliver back to the United States. Gulliver arrived on U.S. soil and entered quarantine on July 8.
“We were on the island for one week,” Erden said. “We had a fabulous time! Gulliver attracted a lot of attention, and he was just thrilled. The people on the island are absolutely wonderful.”
After leaving quarantine, Gulliver will enter his new home at the Oasis Sanctuary’s 4,000-sq.-ft. macaw aviary.
“He’s going to do just fine,” Erden said. “We’re very excited to have him here.”
Erden and the Oasis Sanctuary staff are also excited about the welcome-home party for Gulliver.
“It’s going to be a blast,” Erden said. “Gulliver will be in attendance. He and I really want to meet all the people who helped us at the Oasis because without them, none of this would have happened.”
The party is open to the public, and guests are encouraged to bring dishes and non-alcoholic beverages to share with other bird lovers in attendance. Erden said to watch for blue and gold ribbons and balloons and a giant banner that says "Gulliver’s Celebration of Life.”
However, the party will not be the only celebration of Gulliver’s life. Erden has also written Gulliver Macaw’s Incredible Adventure, a children’s book documenting Gulliver’s amazing story.
“The illustrations are being done by Ed Kane,” Erden said, “and we have some interest from a publisher, but nothing is confirmed yet.”
Erden stressed that all proceeds from the book about Gulliver will go to the birds of the Oasis Sanctuary.
“All of the money will go to the birds!” Erden said. “We really want to get this book published. Even if we have to self-publish, we would like to see it in print by Christmas.”