BJ: A broken Spirit
Became A Symbol of Hope
...And Then a Setback
© November 1999 Sybil Erden, Founder
The Oasis Sanctuary Foundation, LTD.
with updates by Charlotte Fox (Last update November 1, 2001)

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BJ first arrived in this country as a young, wild-caught Moluccan Cockatoo. After undergoing the horrors of quarantine, he spent 17 years in an undersized cage on the back porch of a house in Arizona. He suffered leg and spine deformities and is significantly undersized as a result of malnutrition and starvation. He was never given any toys, socialized or handled. Sometime in the distant past, BJ began severely plucking his feathers, which ultimately led to this extreme case of self-mutilation.

He was first rescued by a well-meaning couple who realized after two months of caring for him that they were out of their depth. They called The Oasis in July, 1999.

BJ was taken directly to our vet's office, where he underwent extensive testing and intensive treatment of his emotional and physical wounds. He stayed there several weeks being treated with antibiotics, and he underwent surgery, as well as synthetic skin grafts, in an attempt to close the gaping hole in his chest. It was also discovered that he had bumblefoot. Although he was treated with antibiotics, we could not put booties on his feet because he had to be wrapped and collared.

When he arrived at The Oasis wearing a large cylindrical collar, he was still an extremely stressed and frightened bird. He was given a large cage indoors equipped with many chewable toys and was surrounded by birds and humans who loved him. His diet was vastly improved.

Six months later, BJ's collar was replaced by a curvical modified collar and his chest was bandaged to prevent him from reopening his slowly healing wound. He began to take food from the hands of his caregivers. He was moved into an outdoor aviary with another male Moluccan Cockatoo.

BJ continued to improve and his wounds healed. A year after he arrived at The Oasis we were able to remove his collar and bandages. Although he plucked his feathers occasionally, he was no longer mutilating himself. His eyes, which previously showed only despair and hopelessness, were bright and smiling! We were all full of hope that BJ's problems were now behind him.

In July 2001, BJ again started mutilating his chest, so he was brought indoors where he could be monitored more closely. Another trip to the vet revealed a bacterial infection, possibly the result of a cut on his foot. This also seriously aggravated the previously diagnosed bumblefoot. During his treatment with antibiotics, he became very depressed.

November 2002 Update
After several months of living in a quiet room in the house with a pair of elderly Pionus and an injured Finch for company, BJ was taken back into the bird building to be with other Cockatoos. Although he has regained partial use of his feet, he still develops scabs that open and bleed and the bottom of his cage is padded with thick towels so he can sit comfortably. His chest is bandaged and he again sports a collar but he's eating well, playing with his toys and is more cheerful and animated. For probably the first time in his life, he's self-confident enough to threaten his caretakers and actually bite them when he gets a chance! We are hopeful that we can provide him with 50 years or more of comfort and happiness.