Carrie Underwood's Bird Rescue Stirs Up Some Unexpected Controversy
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 06: Carrie Underwood attends the 2022 People's Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 06, 2022 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Carrie Underwood assumed the role of "a cartoon princess who talks to the animals" when she generously took in a wild baby bird, but her fans are issuing strong warnings to anyone who may ever consider doing the same.
The "Before He Cheats" songstress explained in a recent Instagram video that a week or so ago, a baby bird fell out of a nest near the front door of, presumably, her Nashville area-estate. She tried placing it back in its home, but the next day, it fell out again—and died. Assuming that its mother had abandoned the nest, she took the bird's sibling and brought it inside, creating a makeshift nest out of a beanie lined with paper towels covered by a woven, taupe-colored tarp.
"It was weak and scared," she explained. "I gave it some liquid first because I thought it would be quite dehydrated. Next, I made it a smoothie of dried larvae (chicken treats), boiled eggs, water and a few berries."
According to the 41-year-old musician, it regained some strength and its feathers started to grow in. "Now, I feed it every time I walk by and clean up the messes," she continued. "Of course, life would’ve been better with mama bird, but I knew it wouldn’t last long on its own."
She added that she hopes to release the bird back into the wild soon, crossing her fingers that "the interaction it has had with [them] hasn’t messed up its bird-hood!"
While a few fans were touched by Underwood's heartfelt gesture, with one sweetly observing that she was "a songbird helping another songbird ??," most were quick to point out that what she was doing was, unfortunately, illegal.
In Tennessee—like in most states—"it is illegal for unlicensed individuals to offer veterinary care or posses wildlife, as it can be harmful to the animal and people in the household," according to the government's website.
Would-be rescuers are encouraged to leave animals where they are to ensure that they're truly stranded and/or abandoned before contacting professional wildlife rehabilitators to take in injured or sickly creatures.
Fans begged her to reach out to official rescues to help her finish rehabilitating the baby and evaluate whether it's still fit for release, given how long it spent in the care of people.
"Please bring it to a rehab center. Even if it’s been imprinted on people now, they can at least make sure it is getting the correct care. Please leave wildlife care to the professionals- don’t encourage people to take these animals home," one comment read.
"This bird should really be taken to a rehabber. You are not setting it up for success," another said.
While most recognized that she had "the best of intentions," they listed plenty of potential risks that come with inexperienced people trying to take care of fragile animals, begging her to "trust the experts here."
To make a real difference, one suggested she use her platform to partner with a certified wildlife rehabilitator to "properly educate people on what to do should they find themselves in a similar scenario!"
All the same, we're all crossing our fingers for the bird's health and survival!
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