Amazon Parrot 'pops to Tesco for some chocolate biscuits' after escaping popular Sheffield animal enclosure

The 19-year-old bright green beauty flew off from the Tropical Butterfly House Wildlife and Falconry Centre at North Anston at about 11am on Wednesday morning during a free flying session.

After zookeepers issued a widespread appeal for information on her whereabouts, they found her the following evening sat up in a tree munching on a chocolate digestive more than two miles away at the Tesco superstore in Dinnington.

Head zookeeper Abigail Carter, aged 26, of Rotherham, said: "A group of school kids found him and they had bought some biscuits to give to her. When we got there she had crumbs on her and there was a half eaten biscuit. It is bad for her diet, but it at least kept her there until we got to the scene. We couldn't believe it.

"We had been looking for more than a full day so when about six zookeepers came running over shouting 'Charlie!' I think the staff and shoppers must have thought we were crazy.

"But we are relieved to have her back. She has actually been making a laughing noise and bobbing her head since she got back. I think she had the practical joke planned all along!"

She said "something startled" the bird while doing a free flying session and she took off at about 11am on Wednesday morning. After a long search she was discovered at 5pm on Thursday.

Abigail said: "Thank you to everyone who supported our appeal to find her. It is the first time she has flown off so it won't stop us doing the free flying sessions.

"It is actually her 19th birthday today so we are presenting her with a cake even though she flew off from us."

The Tropical Butterfly House is open to the public and home to a wide range of exotic animals, including lemurs, meerkats, owls, otters, snakes and of course parrots.