Vancouver Island parrot refuge faces uncertain future

The future is up in the air for several hundred parrots at a sanctuary on Vancouver Island. The founder of therefuge died in February and now the birds may face eviction.

WendyHuntbatch took in more than 600 parrots atThe World Parrot Refuge in Coombs. Thebirds, many of which people found too challenging as pets, receive food and care.

"Parrots are not good pets. They are very destructive," said board member Lynn Keogh."People find the idea is not as charming as they thought it would be."

Therefugeproperty was transferred to Huntbatch'shusband after she died, andhe no longer wishes to be involved with the birds.

Horst Neumann said hespent millions of dollarsover the years to support the refuge and he's informedthe society the arrangement needs to change.

"I've given them all kinds of options. So I'm expecting someone will get back to me with what their direction is," he said.

Those options include paying rent for the building or purchasing the property.

But the society that operates the refuge relies on donations and admission fees from visitors and says it does not have the money.

Keogh saidshe also fears moving the birds would not honour Huntbatch's wishes.

"She did not want these birds to ever have to leave this place. She wanted them to have a home for lifewhere they could be a part of a flock they have chosen and live a natural life as much as possible," she said.

Keogh saidthe society will have to look for somewhere else that can house hundreds of parrots if an agreement can't be reached.