A. V. is known as the “Friend of the Parrots”, with tattoos of parrots all over his body, on his motorcycle, and even on his wallpaper. He shares his home in Ourense with around 200 parrots, including different species such as macaws, cockatiels, and parakeets. A popular YouTube personality, A. V. provides advice on caring for and breeding these colorful birds. However, in March, he was arrested by the Seprona for allegedly defrauding customers from various regions in Spain. The customers claim they received sick or dead birds, or never received them at all. The Guardia Civil suspects that he was selling birds without proper documentation, including falsified CITES certificates and health documents.
The Guardia Civil believes that A. V. was breeding the birds in his home without proper permits, and may have been involved in illegal trafficking of protected species from Brazil and Ecuador. A. V. denies these allegations, stating that he has sold over 2,000 birds with valid certificates. He claims that the birds died in the care of the buyers due to improper feeding and care. The investigation, named Operation Arensivia, also implicates two women as accomplices in his activities. A. V. argues that he is being used as a scapegoat by the authorities, and points out that the real culprits are suppliers from Portugal who are now missing.
In his YouTube videos, A. V. is seen feeding baby birds with a syringe and emphasizing the importance of hand rearing them from a young age. He emphasizes the care and attention he gives to his birds, but authorities believe that some of the birds he sold were in poor health and lacked proper documentation. The investigation revealed that some customers paid upfront for birds that were never delivered, while others received sick birds with unknown origins. The operation also uncovered the falsification of identification rings on the birds, akin to using fake license plates.
A. V. has garnered attention for his love and dedication to his birds, but authorities suspect that his operations may have crossed legal boundaries, leading to animal welfare concerns and fraud allegations. The investigation continues to uncover more cases of potential victims who were misled or defrauded by A. V.’s bird breeding and selling activities. Despite his claims of innocence and good intentions, the legal proceedings will determine the extent of his involvement in the alleged crimes. The “Friend of the Parrots” has faced a downfall in his popularity and reputation, as the investigation into his activities sheds light on a darker side of his bird breeding business.
