RCMP haveopened an investigation to try and track down Rufus, the 15-year-old green wing macaw parrot, who went missing at the end of September from a Sooke property.
The pet owners have searched tirelessly to find the bird, including using drones to scan the area, have had friends, family and other concerned citizens help them look far and wide, and have even offered a $5,000 award for the pet’s return, but still, no sign of poor Rufus.
“Because there is such limited information on the case, all we can do at this point is support the family, but the case is open and active,” said Cpl. Joe Holmes with the Sooke RCMP. “At this point, there is nothing to indicate that it’s criminal related.”
The bird went missing from the owner’s property on Sept. 28, when he was sitting on a tree, was spooked, and took off. He was last seen Oct. 15.
There have been some reports of sightings since Oct. 15, but none have provided any proof of the macaw’s whereabouts.
A person also came in to the Sooke News Mirror office confessing that a dog they were taking care of had attacked and eaten a bird resembling Rufus, but after the owners met with the person, concluded that it was not their bird and are continuing to search.
“We have followed up on a few different things but we are so limited, and there is nothing to suggest that the bird has been stolen,” said Holmes. “But we are sympathetic and are trying to assist the family as much we can.”
The $5,000 reward is still being offered for Rufus’ unharmed return with no questions asked.
If you have any information on Rufus’s whereabouts, please contact the Sooke RCMP at 250-642-5241.