A parrot named Steve, who had lost almost all his feathers and was unable to fly, is now on the road to recovery at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Brentwood, Essex. Steve joined the shelter last week and has begun to regain some of his colour.
Staff at the sanctuary are investigating the cause of Steve's mysterious condition, considering possibilities such as self-inflicted feather pulling due to boredom or an underlying illness. General manager Lianne Angliss stated that with rescue animals, the full history is often unknown, but all options are being explored.
Steve is currently in quarantine in Ms Angliss's office, where he has been provided with a gym and toys. Staff are optimistic about a full recovery as his feathers are already starting to regrow. The sanctuary plans for Steve to join other rescued birds in an aviary once he is strong enough to fly again.