Elmwood Park Zoo's Green-Winged Macaw Passes Away

NORRISTOWN, PA — Rojo, a green-winged macaw and "staff favorite" at Elmwood Park Zoo, has passed away, zoo officials announced.

Rojo had been a zoo resident since 2003, when she was relinquished as a pet, the zoo said. She quickly became one of the favorite residents of the zoo of both staff and guests.

The zoo said that macaws can develop health issues if not properly cared for, and this is what happened with Rojo: she developed chronic anxiety issues from her previous owner, which compromised her immune system.

She ultimately died from an infection which did not respond to veterinary treatment, the zoo said.

"As pets, parrots are very difficult to care for, and require extremely high levels of interaction and enrichment," the zoo said in a statement. "Rojo was a cherished part of the zoo, and educated thousands of guests on the common problems seen in parrots that are kept as pets (having been one herself)."

Zookeepers said that Rojo would be missed, especially for her squawks and calls, which could routinely be heard echoing across the grounds of the zoo and into the nearby park.

Image via Elmwood Park Zoo