Merlin the parrot, a beloved museum mascot in Halifax, is moving to a zoo in Ontario in hopes a more social environment will lift his spirits.
There’s also a potential mate at his new home.
The hybrid rainbow macaw was hatched in captivity in 2002 and has been a part of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic since 2006. He lives alone in an enclosure at the museum on Lower Water Street.
The talkative bird is known to say “cracker” and “peek-a-boo,” and regularly shares a laugh with visitors. He can’t fly, and occasionally leaves his enclosure at the museum under staff supervision.
For 10 years, Merlin Cam was also livestreamed online — allowing fans around the world to catch a glimpse of his daily life.
But the museum says Merlin has shown signs of stress and depression since the COVID-19 pandemic, when the museum was forced to close.
“The change in routine and lack of visitor interaction affected Merlin which led him to snip his feathers,” the museum wrote on its website. “Merlin’s health and happiness are priorities for us, and we are following his veterinarian’s recommendations.”
So, on April 15, Safari Niagara staff will travel with Merlin to their zoo in Fort Erie, Ont.
There, Merlin will be able to socialize with other macaws and birds at his new home.
“As Merlin’s veterinarian, I have been working with museum staff to monitor Merlin’s health. Rehoming Merlin to Safari Niagara will provide Merlin with a more socially stimulating environment with other macaws and bird species,” said Dr. Kim Peacock, of St. Margaret’s bay Animal Hospital, in a statement.
“As an intelligent, social and curious animal, the move will benefit Merlin.”
Kim Reinhardt, the museum’s manager, told Global News it’s a bittersweet good-bye for the staff and for Merlin’s fans.
“I’m sad because we love Merlin so very much and we will miss him,” she said.
“(But I’m also happy because) Merlin is going to a place where they have a family of bird to live out his days with, in a lush environment, with a dedicated team for him.”
There’s also not ruling out the possibility of romance.
“We’ve been going back and forth about what to expect and what opportunities are for Merlin at Safari Niagara. And they happen to say that they do have a potential mate for Merlin. They have a macaw (that isn’t) partnered up with someone, so who knows?” she said with a laugh.
Reinhardt added the museum wanted to get the news of Merlin’s move out now, so that the community still has time to stop by and says their farewells.
“We just want the very best for Merlin,” she added.
Safari Niagara is certified with Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) and a member of the Zoological Association of America (ZAA).
According to the museum, macaws generally live to be around 85. Merlin will turn 22 this year.
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