Pothencode – Santhigiri Fest offers a unique experience for visitors to interact with exotic birds, including the chance to pet and take selfies with beautiful parrots. This show stands out from the usual exhibitions, as the birds are not confined to cages but roam freely in their natural habitats. The featured species, such as Macau parrots, Cockatoos, and African Gray Parrots, are all classified as foreign and exotic, with certifications from the Central Government under the ‘Parivesh’ initiative.
The exhibition is built around the concept of an open aviary, and Jazeel, the creative mind behind it, notes that there were numerous challenges in organizing such a display. The first hurdle was ensuring that the birds were friendly towards humans and could adapt to the specially designed pavilion habitat. Jazeel emphasizes that creating a healthy and suitable environment is essential for the birds to fly freely and interact joyfully with visitors.
In addition to the parrots, the pavilion, adorned with plants, creepers, and water fountains, also houses rabbits, flamingos with their young, and various other animals. One of the major attractions is the exotic wildfowl, including golden and silver pheasants, which captivate onlookers. Another crowd-pleaser is the Mexican iguana, a completely herbivorous species that fascinates visitors.
All the animals are familiar with human interaction, making them safe for children to touch, feed, and spend time with. Jazeel and his father Basheer Manakad have created a veritable paradise for birds and animals with their exhibition, aptly named ‘Swarga Toovalukal’ (Heavenly Feathers).
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