The Godfather of Punk’s cockatoo son, Biggy Pop is forging his own philanthropic career, with a little help from his adopted dad, Iggy. Already a noted Instagram star in his own right, Biggy Pop, has now been appointed “founding patron” of the new Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital and is determined to educate his many followers of the plight facing his fauna friends down in the “magical land of Oz.” As Biggy himself (very eloquently) explained in a statement.
“I’m a bird, and a real wild one, and I have many cockatoo cousins in Australia,” Biggy said. “I was so distressed to hear that 180 million birds died in the catastrophic bushfire crisis that killed over 3 billion native animals over the Australian summer. That really horrified me. I heard about the team of Australian veterinarians building Australia’s largest mobile wildlife hospital and I thought, ‘That is such a brilliant idea.’ So, when they asked if I would be their founding Patron, I thought, ‘Yeah, I’d love to connect with my bird sisters and brothers in the magical land of Oz.’”
Biggy continued: My dad Iggy has visited Australia many times including to perform at Byron Bay Bluesfest. He told me it’s a really cool place where people care for nature and love music, dancing, art and creativity. It sounds like my kind of place. I hope to get down there one day with Iggy, when it’s safe for humans to travel again. I’d fly down there now, but my dad would really miss me. For now, I’m going to help spread the word via my Instagram page.”
Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital made the appointment as part of its efforts to build a much-needed mobile wildlife hospital as another bushfire season draws near. Check out the video below to hear the story of how Biggy’s appointment came to be and see some pretty adorable footage of Biggy hanging at home with Iggy.
The announcement also came with a statement from Iggy Pop, saying: “About 12 years ago a roadside vendor in a remote part of Florida stuffed Biggy, who was very young, into a tiny cage alongside some chickens, by the side of the road. He seemed to be in peril of a bad future. So, we decided to take care of him, responsibly. And we have. He gets and gives a lot of love.”
Founder of the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital, Dr Stephen Van Mil said: “When we heard that Iggy cares as much about wildlife as we do, it made perfect sense for Biggy Pop to be our founding Patron. We are over the moon and truly honoured that he’s the bird to help us spread the word.”
Donate to the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital, here.
Follow Biggy Pop on Instagram, here.
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