Miracle Rescue: Parakeet Captured After 10 Weeks on the Run in Central Park
In a dramatic turn of events, Mei Mei, the parakeet that evaded capture for 10 weeks in New York City's Central Park, has finally been recaptured. The tiny bird, an Australian native, had adopted the quick and wild behaviors of a flock of house sparrows she befriended after escaping from her enclosure. However, as winter set in, Mei Mei found herself facing a deadly threat: temperatures below 50 degrees would have meant certain death.
Birder and rescuer JP Borum spent countless hours tracking the bird, often coming close but unable to catch her. Despite the challenges, Borum remained determined, saying "We were not going to let her freeze to death. It was not going to happen." She even faked out Mei Mei by pretending to be another pedestrian walking down West Drive, luring the bird into a net.
The rescue was a heartwarming moment for Borum, who finally secured Mei Mei after just over 300 hours of searching. "Once I had her in the net, she just seemed so tiny," Borum recalled. The tiny parakeet is now safe and sound in Borum's Manhattan apartment, where she will spend up to 30 days quarantining before being rehomed at a rescue facility.
Mei Mei's incredible journey has captured the hearts of many, including social media users who had been following her story. "New York City is a tough place for any wild creature," said Sean Mintz, another birder who chronicled Mei Mei's sightings. "Yet for more than two months, Mei Mei beat the odds. She adapted, bonded with a flock of sparrows, persevered, and inspired countless New Yorkers."
The rescue is being hailed as a miracle by Borum, who is just relieved to have saved the bird from certain death. As she looked at Mei Mei eating millet in her cage, Borum couldn't help but smile, saying "It's a miracle." The tiny parakeet may have won the hearts of many with her incredible survival story, and now she has found a second chance at life.
In a dramatic turn of events, Mei Mei, the parakeet that evaded capture for 10 weeks in New York City's Central Park, has finally been recaptured. The tiny bird, an Australian native, had adopted the quick and wild behaviors of a flock of house sparrows she befriended after escaping from her enclosure. However, as winter set in, Mei Mei found herself facing a deadly threat: temperatures below 50 degrees would have meant certain death.
Birder and rescuer JP Borum spent countless hours tracking the bird, often coming close but unable to catch her. Despite the challenges, Borum remained determined, saying "We were not going to let her freeze to death. It was not going to happen." She even faked out Mei Mei by pretending to be another pedestrian walking down West Drive, luring the bird into a net.
The rescue was a heartwarming moment for Borum, who finally secured Mei Mei after just over 300 hours of searching. "Once I had her in the net, she just seemed so tiny," Borum recalled. The tiny parakeet is now safe and sound in Borum's Manhattan apartment, where she will spend up to 30 days quarantining before being rehomed at a rescue facility.
Mei Mei's incredible journey has captured the hearts of many, including social media users who had been following her story. "New York City is a tough place for any wild creature," said Sean Mintz, another birder who chronicled Mei Mei's sightings. "Yet for more than two months, Mei Mei beat the odds. She adapted, bonded with a flock of sparrows, persevered, and inspired countless New Yorkers."
The rescue is being hailed as a miracle by Borum, who is just relieved to have saved the bird from certain death. As she looked at Mei Mei eating millet in her cage, Borum couldn't help but smile, saying "It's a miracle." The tiny parakeet may have won the hearts of many with her incredible survival story, and now she has found a second chance at life.
mei mei the parakeet is literally the ultimate survivor i mean who needs humans when u got sparrows right? 
anyway i heard she's gonna spend like 30 days in quarantine but im all for giving her a second chance at life
. This whole thing seems like some elaborate setup to me. I mean, 10 weeks on the run? That's just crazy talk! You gotta have someone feeding her on the sly or something. And who fakes out a bird with a pedestrian? What's next, gonna put up a fake squirrel feeder in Central Park too 
?
her human jp borum is literally a hero tho for not giving up and everything 
i wonder what kind of millet she's eating like, 300 hours of searching for a tiny bird is a lotta time 
Mei Mei da parakeet was on the run 4 like 10 weeks in Central Park nd then she gets caught 
she even befriended a flock of house sparrows nd learned how 2 adapt. 
that's some dedication right there. 
I'm glad Mei Mei made it out alive tho, that's some serious dedication from JP Borum spending 300 hours searching for her 
And poor little parakeet was literally freezing to death if it wasn't for her lol. Anyway, I'm glad she's safe now and will get a second chance at life 
that little parakeet Mei Mei must have been so scared & alone in Central Park but JP Borum's determination & kindness saved her life 