Mishka's attempt to be in the Guinness Book Of World Records

[antoinette]

Antoinette, It's disturbing that GBWR would expect people to put their pets through such cruelty.

Alex may have been labeled "the world's smartest parrot", but his story seems so sad. I don't think he was ever loved. He (she?) was simply an experiment. What a sad life for such a special, intelligent being.

We all here know that Mishka should have won this title, hands down. After reading about GBWR's appalling requirements, I am glad to hear that PETA is making an inquiry into them, thanks to you.

Ant, when it's completed, will you be posting a link or a video of Mishka's commercial? I'm excited for the both of you. Mishka is so very lucky to have a mommy that adores and loves him so much.
I love his South African accent! Blessings to you both.

Thanks faeryphoebe

Sad what Alex went through, I too believe he/she was not happy after seeing the video's and the way he/she plucked, not happy and content bird would ever pluck like that.

It is cruel what an animal must do just do get into GBWR.
I am just elated that someone is finally listening to me, been trying for months and months.

When the radio and TV commercial is complete I will definitely post it on this thread. I am dying to see/hear the end result as well.

Guess you all know what a South African accent sounds like now LoL

 

[antoinette]

That's pretty awesome news!!!!! Congrats!

At long last someone is listening to me, I am just speaking for those that can't speak for themselves.

 

[antoinette]

I have to ask, is PETA Asia-Pacific full of good people? That letter sounds like it's from someone who actually likes animals. If so you are very lucky.

PETA here in the United States is full of terrible anti-pet activist, they fully support and even push kill pounds, and euthanize around 98% of all their "rescued" animals within 24 hours of receiving them. They believe nobody should have pets at all, if they had more power they would seize all our parrots and euthanize them without a second thought. PETA does a lot of good for animals, but when it comes to pets they are a doing it all wrong.

I have heard bad things about PETA as well, but willing to try anything.
It has taken months and months of e-mailing so many different "people" they were the one of the few that actually replied.

It sure does sound like someone who cares for animals, what have I got to lose trying.

 

[antoinette]

That is great news. I'll have my fingers crossed for both of you. Here you spent all this time getting Mishka ready for a world record attempt, while I have spent the last few weeks trying to break Mac's bad habit of picking and plucking

Thanks Mike !!!
I hope Mac is winning in the "Boot Camp" and plucking and picking less.

Not spent time getting Mishka ready for the attempt, all he has to do is be himself and talk.

 

[antoinette]

I've heard bad things about PETA too. In particular:


(warning: their show is NOT TV-G rated)

It's tied closely with ALF.

Thanks JDlugosz

I have seen the video before and was not amused at all.

However there is someone out there willing to assist me.

What have I got to lose trying !!!!

 

[antoinette]

My letter to : Guinness Book Of World Records - 14 September 2013

To whom it may concern

[FONT=&quot]Claim ID ………….[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] Claim Title[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Largest Vocabulary for an African Grey
[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]1. The attempt must take place in a public place or in a venue open to public inspection.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2. The attempt should not exceed a 24 hour time period.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]These rules and regulations are cruel but also detrimental to an animals' well being.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]It's disturbing that GBWR would expect people to put their birds through such cruelty. Anyone with knowledge about birds would agree.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Parrots are detail oriented and even the smallest change can cause them fear, stress and aggressiveness.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Birds are very vigilant animals! One should always respect the fears a bird has and placing a bird in unfamiliar surroundings such as a public environment would cause stress and discomfort to the bird, no matter for what period of time.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]If placed in a “public environment” when strangers approach the birds cage, the bird will become extremely frightened, and begin stressing thus not uttering a word.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Mishka is currently doing a TV advert and radio voice over for an advertising company in South Africa. The SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) paid us a visit, making sure Mishka will not be removed from his natural environment for the training and videoing. Making sure he is happy and content and not taking any stress.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I would never force my bird to do something which I know he will not be comfortable with and petrifies him. It would destroy the trust he has placed in me, which may never be repairable. Even a visit to the vet has caused birds death, as I have experienced with one of my own birds.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Anyone who loves their pets unconditionally, would ever have their pets subjected to such a request.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Surly there are other alternatives ways for one to enter their birds into the GBWR where the birds well beings are taken into consideration?[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I have e-mailed PETA 2013/09/05
[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]PETA Asia-Pacific currently works with activists in South Africa.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“We share your concern that any organization would promote any kind of cruelty to animals such as you described. I have passed this report along to the appropriate people here at PETA and I thank you for sharing.”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]- Edwina Baier[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Kind Regards,[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Antoinette Routledge[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]




[/FONT]

 

[antoinette]

Today I posted the article on Facebook, Feathered Friends and Twitter as PETA asked me to.

Hoping I get feed back from bird lovers

 

[antoinette]

I finally received a response from GBWR

Dear Antoinette Routledge,


Thank you for your enquiry & for addressing your concerns to us.

We would like to reassure you that Guinness World Records does not condone or encourage the mistreatment of animals in any way. We are sorry to hear that some of our guidelines may appear contrary to this principle, which is why I would like to take this opportunity to clarify certain aspects as I can understand that they may lead to misunderstandings.

Our point about having your attempt take place in a public place or a venue open to public inspection does not mean that we require that you must move your birds out of their environment. We simply mean by this that your attempt should be carried out in a place accessible to independent witnesses in order for you to prove your record.
We would be more than happy for you to conduct your attempt with your bird being in the usual comfortable environment with the necessary independent witnesses present. We would not wish for the record attempt to cause any distress to your bird in any way.

The reason why the 24 hour time-frame was chosen is because, as each record needs to be measurable & verifiable, it sets a period for evidence to be gathered, as it would be impossible to monitor vocabulary over your bird’s lifetime.

For our animal records, we engage discussions with various partners and consultants, & PETA is one of the organisations we have contact with.

I remain at your disposal should you have any further questions.

Yours sincerely,
Eva Norroy
Guinness World Records

 

[MikeyTN]

So they basically needs you to have a independent witness during the whole process???

 

[antoinette]

So they basically needs you to have a independent witness during the whole process???

I need two witnesses
One a qualified veterinarian
The other a qualified speech therapist.

They also required the entire event to be videoed.

Now the hunt begins.....

I am going to contact local radio stations and well as national newspapers, and spread the word.

 

[antoinette]

When visiting the vet today (Mishka had his nails trimmed and wings clipped)
I spoke to Dr Brent Russell about the GBWR, saying they require a veterinarian and a speech therapist to be present for 24 hours in order for the attempt to be valid.

Brent told me straight out I will be lucky to find either who will be willing to sit for such a long period, being paid or not for their services.

I will look further into it, contacting radio stations and the media some time next year.

My plate is full at the moment, and if it is to be done it has to be done 100% correctly.

 

[antoinette]

I got an idea last night, and thought I must video Mishka to hear how many different words he is saying in a single recording.
Videoed him this morning the recording was 3 hours long.

I sat with a pencil making a tick for each different word he had said.

I was amazed in the three hours he had said 1454 different words.

I have to make a plan and get a vet and a speech therapist to assist me getting Mishka into the Guinness Book of World Records.

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

Maybe you could work with a university or a research organization that has these folks round the clock on staff to care for or observe avains.

 

[Maria_Metropolis]

Mishka is an awesome bird. I love his videos too. Thanks for sharing Antoinette.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Holy smokes, Ant!! That's a WHOLE LOTTA words in only 3 hours. I'm willing to bet he knows even more than that, especially since he picks up new ones SO quickly and SO easily.

What amazes me the most with Mishka is how intuned he is with you, and how much sense he makes when you 2 have a conversation. :smile015:

 

[antoinette]

Maybe you could work with a university or a research organization that has these folks round the clock on staff to care for or observe avains.

Thanks so much for the info, Steven will ask around at Uni !!!!

 

[antoinette]

Mishka is an awesome bird. I love his videos too. Thanks for sharing Antoinette.

Maria, Mishka says

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3meTNysQfY"]BEST TALKING PARROT IN THE WORLD MISHKA- I want to kiss - YouTube[/ame]

 

[antoinette]

Holy smokes, Ant!! That's a WHOLE LOTTA words in only 3 hours. I'm willing to bet he knows even more than that, especially since he picks up new ones SO quickly and SO easily.

What amazes me the most with Mishka is how intuned he is with you, and how much sense he makes when you 2 have a conversation. :smile015:

Imagine them recording his words for 24 hours, that would be amazing to see how many he can actually say.

The best tip I could ever give anyone about being so in-tuned with your bird is to talk to your bird continuous, and explain everything to them.

 

[Maria_Metropolis]

Antoinette,
I would give him a kiss. :10: So adorable and so smart. I love his plumage too. I remember poor Alex had such ragged plumage, you often wonder if they wouldn't leave the poor bird alone. You're doing a wonderful job of nurture and training.

 

[Terry57]

Wow, this is the most exciting thread! Keeping my fingers crossed that it works out, and what an amazing job you have done with Mishka!!!