Tourists flocking to UK wildlife park where parrots keep telling visitors to 'f*** off'
Wildlife staff in Lincolnshire are contending with a burgeoning number of bad-mouthed birds that now come with a warning.
Staff at a Lincolnshire Wildlife Park are facing a crisis of swearing parrots, with the number of foul-mouthed birds appearing to be growing. As a result of the increasing number of cheeky birds, staff are rolling the dice with a risky tactic with the hope of "diluting" the issue.
When the issue first arose in 2020, the five offending birds were segregated from the rest of the parrots, so that the public were not exposed to their expletive-laden outbursts.
The sweary parrots were eventually put back on display but with a warning for visitors with "sensitive" ears.
However, now, three more African Grey Parrots appear to have begun swearing too. This time, staff are employing a new tactic to try and mitigate the cursing among the winged wonders.
Rather than segragating the rude parrots, named Eric, Captain and Sheila, the staff have decided to release them into the wider flock. The hope is that among non-swearing birds, Eric, Captain and Sheila's ranting will be diluted.
Chief executive of the wildlife park, Steve Nichols, who has been caring for parrots for 35 years, is more than aware of the gamble.
He said: "We could end up with 100 swearing parrots on our hands. Only time will tell.
"Parrots are flock creatures. They need to be with other parrots. The bigger the flock, the happier they are. Even though they swear, the welfare of the birds has to come first."
Although the parrots risk offending some, they have become one of the main attractions at the park.
Mr Nichols claimed the parrots offered humour "when the world seems very serious".
He went on: "You never tire of being told to eff off by a parrot. You can’t help but laugh. Of course, visitors stand around the enclosure swearing, trying to get the parrots to copy them."
Mr Nichols hopes that by putting the birds in with the others their swearing won't be able to be heard. He said: "Ultimately, I think the swearing will be diluted.
"People think parrots are loud birds but they talk quite quietly. I’m hoping, above the general noise of the flock, the swearing will be drowned out."
