The real Lucky. Photo by Bonnie Zimmermann
Both prized and persecuted for their intense color and beauty, rainbow lorikeets (one type of parrot species), found in parts of the world including Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea, are captured for the exotic bird trade. Unfortunately, many end up living their lives in confinement, chained by the leg attached to a make-shift perch and fed an unnatural diet - all for the amusement of the consumer. The saying, "free as a bird", seems to have lost its meaning in an industry where avian jewels are pushed through the system like cases of canned corn. With a collective conscience, we could proclaim those famous words, I know why the caged bird sings. This book, Lucky, helps us to understand that captive birds sing a song of freedom. With the publication of this book, and through the education of the public and the efforts of dedicated conservation organizations, there is hope for change.
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Published by the Avian Welfare Coalition 2009
The Avian Welfare Coalition (AWC) along with the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) produced this book to bring awareness to the public about the grim circumstances surrounding captive exotic birds and the bird trade. The Avian Welfare Coalition explains that adoption of a rescued bird is the humane choice to make when seeking a bird as a pet.
Inspired by real events that took place in 2003, Lucky is a well written and richly illustrated children’s book about the true story of one real rainbow lorikeet named Lucky. Captured and chained to a perch for over a year in Seram, the largest of the "Spice Islands" in Indonesia, Lucky was rescued by members of the Avian Welfare Coalition and Indonesian Parrot Project. Children will enjoy the story as it bursts into color with every turn of the page. Adults will appreciate the message of kindness and stewardship that the author presents to the reader through the eyes of a young boy who receives Lucky as a gift. There is a lesson in compassion strongly voiced in this story as well, as the boy eventually deals with conflicting emotions about whether or not to keep Lucky. The book is softbound, in a fun 10” x 11” larger format, and sells for $19.95 per copy.
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Lucky set free. Photo by Bonnie Zimmermann
Lucky has recently been listed as a resource for the North American Association of Environmental Educators (NAAEE). And for all you Internet-social-network-fans, when you become a Lucky fan on Facebook, you'll be entered for a chance to win a free copy of the book!
100% of the proceeds from the sale of Lucky benefits avian welfare, rescue and conservation efforts. To order click here
Related Links:
World Society for the Protection of Animals
Photographs reprinted with permission from the Avian Welfare Coalition
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