NEW YORK — Wildlife experts are trying to figure out how a pink dove ended up in a New York City park.
According to the Wild Bird Fund, the domestic pigeon found inside Madison Square Park appears to have been deliberately dyed and then released. The group said domesticated birds already have trouble surviving because they can’t find food in the wild, fly well or escape predators.
“Doves come in many different colors and plumages, but pink is not one of them,” the group said in a facebook post.
Being an unusual color would make this bird even more of a target. The group said a Good Samaritan rescued the pink dove and they are now taking care of it.
The group said the bird appeared to be “barely more than a chick” and was showing signs of malnutrition. They also discouraged the release of domestic birds for ceremonies.
“Please, never release pet birds into the wild. Not for weddings, funerals, celebrations, art projects, anything. (We hope ‘don’t dye them’ goes without saying, but…) They will starve or be preyed on,” he said the Wild Bird Fund. “If you see a completely white pigeon in the wild, or any domesticated bird that seems lost, you need your help. Trap the bird and bring it to a pigeon shelter or animal sanctuary near you.”
It was not immediately clear why the bird was tinged pink.
