Lourinho is free to return to his love of 30 years.

247 - Here's a love story with a happy ending. A report in the newspaper Diário da Manhã tells the story of a woman who fought to keep her parrot. She won. Initially, but ultimately.

To view the injunction in its entirety, click here.

Below is the news report from Diário da Manhã.

Free Blonde

Helmiton Prateado

From the Politics & Justice section

Federal Judge Carlos Augusto Tôrres Nobre granted an injunction allowing homemaker Romilda Justino Franco to keep her parrot, Lourinho, which was at risk of being seized by IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources). The judge of the 6th Federal Court ensured that the bird remains in Romilda's possession and prohibited IBAMA from imposing a fine of R$ 5, as stipulated in the notification delivered to her.

Romilda had gone to court last week, represented by lawyer Carolina Alves Luiz Pereira, seeking an injunction to continue possessing the animal she has raised for 30 years. "We argued to the judge that the bird is certainly better cared for in Mrs. Romilda's home than it would be in IBAMA shelters, and that outside the habitat where it has lived for three decades, Lourinho would be at serious risk of death," explained the lawyer.

According to IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) inspectors, the Environmental Crimes Law prohibits the captive breeding of wild animals, such as parrots. The IBAMA superintendent in Goiás, Luciano Menezes, himself reiterated the opinion of the inspectors who intended to remove Lourinho from his adoptive family. Luciano further downplayed the situation, stating that it was possible to circumvent it with a special authorization provided for in a resolution of the National Environment Council (CONAMA). Resolution 384 of 2006 "regulates the granting of temporary domestic custody of seized wild animals," which can grant custody to those who raise them, respecting certain pre-established conditions.

In the precautionary action, lawyer Carolina Alves explained Romilda's odyssey to retain custody of Lourinho. "After the..." morning diary "It seems that the enemies of nature felt provoked when he broke the news of the struggle he was waging to keep a defenseless little animal, raised with so much love."

Louro the parrot is considered part of the family and has free rein in Romilda Justino's house. "If we were separated, it would be a great suffering for all of us, and especially for him," explains Romilda. Louro was found approximately 32 years ago on the fence of a small farm the family owned in the municipality of Aragoiânia. Apparently, the bird was already domesticated, which was evident from its docility and the words it already spoke and sang.

The care Romilda gives Louro can be measured by his exclusive space made just for spending the day: a 15-square-meter wire cage with abundant water, a tree, a perch, a sandpit, a walker, and plenty of food like carrots, papaya, and passion fruit. "I doubt that the animals in IBAMA shelters are as well cared for, because in addition to the food and generous space, he receives constant affection and attention," summarizes the breeder. At night, Louro goes inside the house to avoid getting cold and sleeps in the bedroom with his breeder.

Louro calls for the dogs in the house and even for others in the neighborhood. He knows most of the neighbors and calls them by name when he sees them. His participation in the family extends to the games on television, and the parrot even knows how to shout when there's a goal. It's almost as if the bird knows how to root for a team, the neighbors comment. Other birds come to keep Louro company and feast on the fruit placed on the roof of the aviary for his enjoyment. Tanagers, thrushes, and great kiskadees are regular customers of the banquet served exclusively for them.

Intelligence and gentleness

The precautionary measure included a report from veterinarian Cynthia Sandoval Lavigne, justifying with scientific arguments the reasons for keeping Louro in the company of Romilda and her family. "Parrots are some of the most intelligent birds that exist and have a more developed brain than most others," she explained.

According to the veterinarian, the lifespan in the wild is 15 to 25 years, and this expectation increases to 40 to 50 years when domesticated. Some giant African species, such as the African Grey Parrot, live up to 60 to 80 years. "When hand-raised, they easily become tame and excellent pets for the whole family. Although they choose only one owner, parrots relate to humans in the same way they relate to other birds in the wild."

The greatest risk of a domesticated animal being returned to nature without proper criteria is its lack of cunning in fleeing from predators, its inability to forage for food, and its need for close contact with other human beings—factors that can lead to its death.

“Because it is a bird that has been domesticated for so long (30 years), it no longer has the physical, psychological, or cognitive capacity to survive alone if reintroduced into the wild. If that is indeed Ibama's true intention,” warns the veterinarian.

Cynthia further emphasized that any change at this moment could be fatal for Louro and that he certainly won't find even a third of what he has today in Romilda's family.

Legitimacy and proportionality

In his ruling, Judge Carlos Augusto Tôrres Nobre emphasized that Romilda Justino Franco's claim to continue possessing Lourinho is "legitimate and proportionate." The judge accepted the opinion of veterinarian Cynthia Sandoval that the animal has been outside its natural habitat for a long time, "considering the possible inadequacy and inefficiency of the seizure measure."

Upon receiving the news that she would have custody of Lourinho with the approval of the court, the housewife cried tears of joy, later celebrating with her family and friends the victory over what she considers "an arbitrary act against innocent people." "The judge, the IBAMA technicians, and everyone who followed our struggle can rest assured that I will take much better care of Lourinho than he would be in IBAMA shelters."