Man Reunited with Stolen Pet Parrot 9 Years Later. The Bird Was Found in an Ikea Parking Lot 20 Miles Away

A remarkable reunion unfolded recently in West Yorkshire, where Robert Mortimer was unexpectedly reunited with his beloved African grey parrot, Barney, nine years after the bird was stolen in a home burglary. The heartwarming story sheds light on the enduring bond between pets and their owners, illustrating how hope can prevail even in the most challenging circumstances.

In August 2017, the Mortimer family’s home in Bradford was the scene of a devastating break-in during which Barney was taken. The family also suffered loss when their Chihuahua was fatally injured amid the chaos. For Robert Mortimer, a father of five, the disappearance of his feathered companion became an emotional burden that he carried for nearly a decade. “I gave him up for dead a long time ago,” he reflected on the long absence of his pet.

Fast forward to July 30 this year, when Barney was discovered wandering in an IKEA parking lot situated about 20 miles from his home. The 19-year-old parrot’s bewildered presence prompted a concerned individual to alert local authorities, leading to the verification of Barney’s identity. A veterinarian scanned the microchip embedded in the bird, confirming his name and origin, but complications arose when it was found that the phone number linked to the chip had since changed.

Barney was subsequently taken to Hillary Harry and Friends Wildlife Rescue, where Gemma Dumbill, the rescue’s owner, took on the responsibility of locating his rightful family. According to Dumbill, numerous individuals reached out claiming to be the owners, but none provided sufficient proof to substantiate their claims. “All we knew from the chip was that he was called Barney and was originally from Bradford,” she stated.

During her initial interactions with Barney, Dumbill noted the bird’s striking reaction when she greeted him by name. “I said to him, ‘Hi, Barney,’ and he looked at me as if to say, ‘How did you know my name?’” Intrigued by the mystery surrounding his disappearance, Dumbill conducted an online search for a missing parrot named Barney and uncovered a news article detailing the 2017 burglary that had separated the bird from his family.

With assistance from a police officer she knew, Dumbill was able to locate Mortimer, who had moved from the original house where the theft took place. The call that followed was one Mortimer had never expected. “She called me up and said, ‘Your parrot’s been found,’” he recounted. Overwhelmed with emotion, he struggled to grasp the news. “I told her, ‘He can’t have been,’ as it was nearly ten years ago.”

The anticipation prior to reuniting with Barney led Mortimer to retrieve the bird’s original cage, which he had preserved all these years, unable to replace the pet he had considered irreplaceable. Mortimer explained, “After he was taken, everyone said I should buy a replacement, but I could never bring myself to get another parrot.” He poignantly noted, “You can replace electrical goods, but you can’t replace a pet.”

As Barney transitioned to Mortimer’s new home, his familiar personality traits began to re-emerge. Excitingly, the parrot started to vocalise greetings like “Hello” and “Morning,” prompting Mortimer to believe that their connection might still be intact. “Nine years is a long time for a bird, but I think he’s beginning to recognise me,” he expressed hopefully. He reminisced about Barney’s remarkable ability to mimic his voice, a distinctive talent the parrot had used to play pranks on family members.

Mortimer described one of Barney’s favourite tricks: imitating the sound of a ringing phone, and then laughing at his wife Lisa as she attempted to answer it. “It’s just brilliant to have him back,” Mortimer stated, his gratitude evident. “It’s still sinking in that I’ve finally got my Barney again.”

Reflecting on this heartwarming reunion, Mortimer expressed his deep appreciation for everyone involved in bringing Barney home. This extraordinary story is a testament to the resilience of love and the unyielding hope that characterises the bond between pets and their owners.