Déjà Zoo: Another animal possibly taken from Palm Beach Zoo, where's Catherine the bird?

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (WPEC) — An investigation is underway for a colorful bird believed to be taken from the Palm Beach Zoo, five years after a monkey was stolen from the same place.

The non-profit zoo said on Tuesday, that one of its parrots — a lorikeet named Catherine — is missing. Palm Beach Zoo said Catherine is 8 years old and worth about $500.

An employee called the West Palm Beach Police Department (WPBPD) and police are investigating the case as larceny, or theft of property. Under Florida law, stealing an animal from an attraction or zoo is considered a third-degree felony.

The zoo said, after an extensive investigation, the colorful bird may have been taken from its Lorikeet Loft. The zoo does a daily count of the birds, and on April 23, all birds were accounted for, however; the following day they were missing one — Catherine. Employees told police there were no holes in the enclosure.

“They looked to make sure that the bird wasn't hiding, that the bird hadn't died. They looked to make sure that the integrity of the enclosure was intact and that there were no holes that a bird could have gotten out from,” WPBPD spokesperson Mike Jachles said.

Now, investigators and zoo staff are left to figure out what possibly happened to the lorikeet.

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The zoo says maintains a high level of security, including 24/7 on-site security personnel, cameras, and staff stationed within the Lorikeet Loft during operational hours. According to WPBPD, police plan to review the security camera video for leads.

“It's an accessible area to the guests. It’s an attraction. That's why people come to the zoo so they can see firsthand the exhibits. and you know it's unfortunate that this birdbrain took the bird,” Jachles said.

Time is of the essence the zoo says. The zoo's aviary, Lorikeet Loft, is a specially designed habitat for the parrots. Their specialized diet consists of pollen, nectar, and various fruits, all provided by the zoo's animal commissary to ensure proper nutrition. This specific diet is vital for lorikeet's health.

The zoo also said lorikeets live in pairs, mate for life, and thrive when living in flocks. With Catherine possibly on her own, there are concerns for her well-being.

"We are hopeful for the safe return of Catherine to the flock," the zoo said in the release.

The zoo posted a video of the beloved bird in 2022 to its Instagram page. Catherine can be seen happily chirping while enjoying a bird bath.

Anyone with information on the lorikeet's whereabouts is asked to call WPBPD at (561) 822-1900.

In 2019, a Goeldi's Monkey was stolen from the same zoo, but soon located. Black and white surveillance video showing a man wearing a hoodie leaving the zoo hiding the endangered female monkey.