Article by Rory Poulter

Police have confirmed they are investigating the theft of a magnificent greenwing Macaw parrot, which was stolen while being free flown in Richmond Park and is now feared dead.

The male parrot, called Sura, was regularly flown in the park alongside his female companion Kasko by their owner who lives near the park's Sheen Gate.

The two parrots were enormously popular with regular visitors to the park, who have expressed outrage, disgust and sorrow and the theft of the bird.

Video footage, which taken by walkers in the area, show how Sura was captured by the driver of an Uber car just outside the Sheen Gate, in Fife Road, on Monday last week.

The valuable bird, which was three years old, can be seen jammed between the dashboard and front windscreen in some of the footage.

It is claimed the driver had been following the owner throughout the day and after managing to lure one of the parrots into his Toyota Prius, then made an unsuccessful attempt to capture his mate.

Eyewitnesses say they saw the driver trying to lure the second parrot, which was in a nearby tree, down to the ground.

People who captured images of the distressed parrot in the front of the car believed the taxi driver was the owner of the bird.

After Sura failed to return, the owner and his friends launched a desperate search of the park and surrounding roads and then via social media.

When it became clear that the macaw had been stolen they also contacted the police with a description of the car and driver, plus the number plate.

A Met Police spokesman said: "Police are aware of a theft of animal on Fife Road, Richmond, which occurred 20.50 hrs Monday 20th June. An investigation is being progressed by Richmond Parks Police.

"There have been no arrests at this time. Enquires are currently ongoing."

Campaigners set up a Google email address to seek information about the missing bird. Late on Saturday, an email was sent from someone claiming to be the daughter of the taxi driver, together with some video and still images.

Bizarrely, she claimed that the parrot had flown into the taxi and the driver had been unable to get it out. It appears he then drove to his home, thought to be in Essex, with the bird in the back of the car.

The daughter claimed that the driver had then taken it back late at night the following day. She sent video of the parrot in the boot of the car and then being left on the kerb in the dark close to Sheen Gate.

A search party visited the spot on Sunday morning where they found a mass of feathers. As a result, they believe the weak and hungry parrot has been taken and killed by a fox.

A tearful campaigner told Nub News: "We got an email from a girl who said her dad brought the bird home and then released him back in the area on Tuesday night.

"She is saying that her dad couldn't get the bird out of his car, which is a lie. The video and evidence of witnesses is clear that Sura was distressed and trying to get out.

"The driver had been following my friend – who owns them – that day when he arrived at the park.

"The thief took a video of Sura in the boot of his car the night he released Sura - it is clear that he is hungry and tired. And then he just put him on the side of the kerb.

"Basically, this guy just left the bird to be killed. It 100 per cent looks like a fox attack. Sura would have been easy pickings for a fox."

"Feathers from his chest and tail have been found along the perimeter wall of Richmond Park near Sheen Gate. It is extremely likely a fox got to the weak and distressed Sura in the dark"

She added: "This has been so traumatic. This was a bonded pair of macaws, Kasko can say Sura's name and she has been crying out for him. Their owner is absolutely distraught.'

Residents in and around Richmond Park, who knew the owner and parrots, are furious about what happened.

Writing on social media, one said: "Such sad news. It's been a real joy seeing them free in Richmond park."

Another condemned the thief, writing: "There is no forgiveness from us in the bird community as you have committed awful animal negligence"

Details of the suspect, the car and registration number were given to the police early last week. The campaigner said they felt the police had not taken the issue seriously.

She added: "We have a large free flying community who bring their birds to the park. The birds are loved by so many people. It is just tragic."

One campaigner has released the following appeal video.