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Two lawyers, six veterinarians! We are pursuing legal action against DOC over welfare concerns for Charlie Girl Kākā.

$3,573 of $18,000 goal
Given by 51 generous donors in around 8 months

DOC failed Charlie Girl Kākā. We won't! Support our legal fund and help #BringCharlieGirlHome

Dunedin, Otago

Nearly a year ago, DOC removed Charlie Girl from her home of 24 years at the Punanga Manu o Te Anau, the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary.

Within an hour of release at the Dunedin breeding mill, Charlie began to weave in distress- swaying back and forth while hanging from the ceiling.

Charlie had already endured significant trauma, from being hit by a car to living in a confined space that made it difficult for her to adapt to change. Given her past, we strongly believe she should not have been subjected to the stress of relocating, as it could further impact her well-being.

We are pursuing legal action and need your help.

MPI requested an Independent Welfare Report for Charlie Girl.

Key points from the report:

*Charlie's move to Dunedin triggered a return of her weaving and other abnormal repetitive behaviors that indicated distress.

*These behaviors and their frequency were cause for concern.

*If Charlie were to stay in Dunedin, the best way to help her would be to stabilize her environment and recreate the Te Anau sanctuary in Dunedin, an impossible task.

We need your help to return Charlie to her caring community and her sanctuary home.

Please donate to Charlie's legal fund.

Use of funds

We will use the funds on obtaining legal consultation for Charlie and professional consultations to support this process. Any leftover fees will be used to improve welfare standards for Charlie and other native parrots, particularly those showing abnormal repetitive behaviors. This may include behavioral vet consultations for Charlie and enrichment such as foraging toys.

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Latest update

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Progress (and concerns) for Charlie Girl and other kākā  8 January 2026

We have some potential good news! DOC has agreed to come to the table and talk via mediation.

While we are partially sceptical, we are also very hopeful that this will lead to positive changes for Charlie and for the SI kākā breeding program.

Despite this, our advocacy work isn't done. Team Charlie is greatly concerned by language in the SI kākā breeding documents, including calling kākā with special needs 'burdensome' and considering euthanasia. We are already investigating further and discussing legal action.

We could not be doing all this without your support! For over a year, we've worked on many threads to help Charlie and have uncovered more and more concerns. Christina has triggered an MPI investigation, an Independent Welfare Investigation, and other critical steps. We are grateful that DOC are willing to talk, and hope they will make the needed improvements, but we have a long list of concerns.

We also have a confession. The legal fees have recently piled up. While your donations have been an amazing help, Christina has covered the rest out of her savings account. Charlie and her fellow kākā are well worth it, but we still need your support.

Please share our fundraiser with people who might Give A Little to our campaign. Even small donations show that people care and encourage DOC to collaborate. We have an opportunity to effect change, but it takes a village.

PS- more updates about Charlie, concerns for her not getting meds, etc on her Facebook page.

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Latest donations

Janet
Janet on 09 Jan 2026
All the best. Thankyou for being a great ambassador for Charlie Girl...🤩
$50
Christina Abramowicz

Thank you so much, Janet, for your kind words of support and for your generous donation. It is much appreciated <3

Christina Abramowicz
Pat
Pat on 08 Jan 2026
$30
Christina Abramowicz

Thank you so much, Pat, for your kindness and support. With your help, we will keep advocating for Charlie and her fellow kākā! <3

Christina Abramowicz
Jaime
Jaime on 10 Dec 2025
🫶🏼 from our flock for Charlie
$50
Christina Abramowicz

<3 Thank you for your support and much love to you and your flock! With your support, we'll keep fighting so Charlie can be home and happy again!

Christina Abramowicz
Karen
Karen on 09 Dec 2025
Wishing you success in retrieving Charlie.
$95
Christina Abramowicz

Thank you, Karen, for your kind words and your generous support. People like you make a difference for Charlie <3

Christina Abramowicz
Jenny
Jenny on 08 Dec 2025
$20
Christina Abramowicz

Thank you so much for your support, Jenny. It is much appreciated <3

Christina Abramowicz

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Created by, and paying to a verified bank account of, Christina Abramowicz
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This campaign started on 22 May 2025 and ends on 30 Jan 2026.