Lost macaw’s shock discovery after storm survival; Aged care residents evacuated after wild storms

A much-loved pet macaw has been rescued in a dramatic fashion after going missing for days, surviving despite being forced to cope with a severe storm battering.

Firefighters flocked to Portarlington on Saturday to rescue a beloved pet bird that had escaped its cage.

Lara’s Justin Zammit had taken the 5-year-old blue and gold macaw, Tiki, on holidays to a Portarlington caravan park.

But he woke up on Thursday morning to find she was gone.

Tiki the macaw. Picture: Mark Wilson

Mr Zammit said he suspected someone had loosened the screws of her cage in an attempted theft, and Tiki had then flown off.

“I felt lost, she’s part of the family,” Mr Zammit said.

Bystanders watching the drama of Tiki’s rescue unfold. Picture: Mark Wilson

He searched the caravan park and town extensively, but Tiki, who Mr Zammit said he paid almost $5000 for, was nowhere to be found.

But when Mr Zammit’s uncle was leaving the caravan park on Saturday, he spotted Tiki as she started saying “hello” from a tree.

“I rushed off down there and spotted her and took her food and her cage,” Mr Zammit said.

Owner Justin Zammit trying to get Tiki from the tree. Picture: Mark Wilson

Mr Zammit climbed a tree in an attempt to retrieve Tiki but said she was intimidated by the crowds watching the saga unfold.

CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria both attended the scene on Saturday afternoon.

Firefighters attempted to spray her out with a hose to retrieve her, but she flew from tree to tree.

Justin Zammit rescuing Tiki . Picture: Mark Wilson

Mr Zammit then donned a harness and helmet to be lifted by a ladder platform to finally be reunited with Tiki.

A CFA spokesman confirmed an incident occurred at Boat Ave, Portarlington on Saturday, involving an expensive exotic macaw parrot that was 15 metres up a tree and couldn’t be coaxed down.

“CFA crews attended from Portarlington and a ladder platform was responded from Geelong to assist in the rescue,” he said.

Mr Zammit described the firefighters as awesome.

Justin Zammit, Tiki and Jasmine Condon. Picture: Mark Wilson

“Tiki survived the storms and everything,” he said.

“I couldn’t believe it.”

Aged care residents evacuated after ‘extreme storms’

Almost 50 residents have been evacuated from a Surf Coast aged care home after wild weather lashed the region.

The SES was called to an aged care home experiencing flooding at Anglesea about 1.15pm Friday.

Aged care provider Calvary confirmed that due to extreme storms causing drainage issues, 49 residents from Calvary Cordelia Grove home were safely evacuated on Friday.

The provider said residents were relocated to Calvary Elouera in Torquay, Calvary Balmoral Grove in Grovedale, and Calvary Roccoco in St Albans Park.

“The residents are accompanied by staff who have also relocated from Cordelia Grove, to assist with continuity of care for the residents,” Calvary said on Saturday.

“An assessor has been notified and we anticipate an assessment of the damage next week.

“Our thanks to our staff and Ambulance Victoria for their outstanding efforts in such a short time to ensure the secure and safe relocation of residents.”

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Originally published as Lost macaw’s shock discovery after storm survival; Aged care residents evacuated after wild storms