Hoggle the Macaw’s Amazing Rescue: A Family’s Love Prevails

A Macaw named Hoggle recently made headlines when he was reunited with his loving owners after a harrowing adventure. Hoggle, a Schriever-based Macaw, has been with Ronny and Dana Friloux since he was just a day old, making their bond incredibly special.

The incident began when Hoggle managed to escape from his cage and flew away, sparking days of panic for the Friloux family. Dana shared this emotional rollercoaster with The Gazette, expressing her immense gratitude to the community who rallied together to help find Hoggle.

The family had been giving Hoggle all the love and care possible since he was a baby. He was nurtured and hand-fed, blossoming from a featherless chick into a vibrant bird that they cherished like a son. “He was ugly,” Dana chuckled, reminiscing about Hoggle’s awkward early days.

The Friloux family had moved to Schriever after Hurricane Ida and set up a spacious outdoor cage for Hoggle. One sunny afternoon, Dana decided to let him enjoy the fresh air. Unfortunately, things took a turn when Hoggle flew away, landing in a nearby tree just as the sun began to set.

Despite the family’s attempts to coax him down, the bird spent the night in the tree, leading to a worrying morning when Dana called out for him, and to her relief, he responded. However, he remained perched high in the tree, showing off his playful side without coming down.

The family continued their efforts to rescue Hoggle, but the crafty bird seemed hesitant to leave his high perch, despite being hungry and thirsty. Dana’s daughter, Demi, joined the rescue efforts, but even her presence didn’t coax Hoggle down.

Days went by without sight of Hoggle, leading Dana to fear the worst. However, a good friend eventually spotted him in a tree, reigniting hope for the Friloux family. Armed with this new information, Dana and Ronny rushed to the tree, pleading with Hoggle to fly back to them.

In a twist of fate, the Schriever Fire Department offered to step in. With permission from Dana, the firefighters sprayed water at Hoggle, a tactic aimed at encouraging him to come down. After several attempts, Hoggle finally fell to the ground, where Dana quickly rushed over to embrace her beloved bird.

Upon his return home, Hoggle was obviously exhausted and needed food and water. After a good meal and some rest, he was back to his vibrant self, chatting and singing to visitors. Dana mentioned that Hoggle won’t be allowed outside until his wings are clipped in the coming weeks, prioritizing his safety while he enjoys time in his outdoor cage.