Philippine Cockatoo. Image by Chris Shank
A pair of rare breeding cockatoos which are on the world's endangered species list have been stolen from Bristol Zoo.
The two red-vented cockatoos - some of the world's rarest birds - were not taken from the zoo in Clifton but from other premises operated by the zoo elsewhere in greater Bristol.
The break-in happened sometime between 5pm on Wednesday and 8am today.
The pair were being kept away from visitors at the zoo in the hope that it would encourage them to breed.
The species originate from the Philippines and are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The stolen birds, a male and a female, were two of six red-vented cockatoos re-homed at Bristol Zoo in 2004 after being confiscated by customs.
It is not known how much the cockatoos are worth, but there are only about 1,000 of them left in the wild.
All birds are micro chipped and have identification rings. The remaining four birds have now been moved to another site.
John Hayward is the co-ordinator of the national theft register for exotic animals and a security advisor to Bristol Zoo.
He said: "We are particularly anxious for the welfare of the birds.
"Whoever has stolen them is unlikely to be aware of their special dietary requirements, so the sooner they are recovered the better.
"Another major concern is the damage this will do to the Zoo's breeding programme for this critically endangered species if the birds are not returned."
"Thieves will find it difficult to sell the birds as they are known for being extremely rare and bird traders who could be offered the cockatoos will know that they are stolen."
Bristol Zoo refused to reveal exactly where the birds where taken from to protect other animals which are also housed at the same location.
Mr Hayward added: "We are hopeful that the birds are still in the area.
"It should also be pointed out that if anyone offers these birds for sale it carries a severe punishment of up to five years imprisonment.
"The same offence applies to anyone who purchases these birds without a licence issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
"I would urge anyone with any information to get in touch on my emergency phone number – 07802 404 929."
Red-vented cockatoos, sometimes called the Philippine Cockatoo, have white plumage with significant orange-red coloured feathers around the vent (below the tail) and pale yellow underwings.
Populations of red-vented cockatoos have decreased dramatically in the wild due to loss of habitat and illegal trapping for the cage-bird trade.
They are among the rarest birds in the world. About 1,000 are thought to be left in the wild.
Anyone with information about the theft should contact John Hayward on 07802 404 929 or Staple Hill Police Station on 0845 456 7000.