A rare parrot flew away from home and visited Anakeesta this week, joining the ranks of black bears and bobcats who have also been spotted at the immersive, nature-based theme park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Lauren Reilly, new to the Sevier County area, said her Congo African Grey Parrot, Phoenix, flew away from her when she was out hiking. According to the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators, Congo African Grey Parrots are the largest of the African Greys, and they can also talk.
Reilly lost the bird when her dog unexpectedly bolted.
“My dog, he never does this, he yanked me, and Phoenix got spooked,” Reilly told Anakeesta.
The parrot, not even a year old, flew away on Easter Sunday. Reilly said she hiked for more than two days searching for the bird.
Phoenix was missing for several days before he decided to fly to Anakeesta. The bird must have been excited to see the views of the Great Smoky Mountains because he landed on the head of a guest on the AnaVista Tower, which gives a great look at Mt. LeConte, on April 6. Congo African Grey Parrots have distinct coloring, and the colors let the lucky guest know that Phoenix wasn’t a wild bird, but likely someone’s pet.
The guest notified Anakeesta rangers and then took to social media for a search. According to Reilly, the guest searched for lost parrots in the Gatlinburg area and came across her Facebook post showing the missing bird in question–Phoenix. The guest was able to get in touch with Reilly while they, along with Anakeesta rangers, kept the bird safe.
Reilly was able to visit Anakeesta the same day and was reunited with Phoenix that very afternoon. Reilly told Anakeesta staff that she’d had Phoenix since he was three-weeks-old, and that he was still training for his speaking skills.
But the story doesn’t end there. Reilly launched a career with Anakeesta, calling her discovery of Phoenix at the park a “sign from God.”
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