Dublin Zoo Honors Irish Striker Troy Parrott by Naming Parrot After Him
Dublin Zoo has honored the Republic of Ireland footballer Troy Parrott by naming a citron-crested cockatoo after him. The male parrot, previously unnamed, now carries the name Troy in recognition of the striker’s remarkable performance in the recent match against Hungary, where he scored a hat-trick, including a dramatic winning goal in the 96th minute.
Dublin Zoo’s Tribute to Troy Parrott
The decision to name the bird after Parrott stemmed from his inspiring achievement that propelled the Republic of Ireland into the World Cup play-offs. Zookeeper Diana Farrell expressed the zoo’s desire to honor “Ireland’s hat-trick hero,” noting it was a significant moment for both the animal and the football star.
Details of the Celebration
Social media was abuzz with excitement following the match, with fans celebrating Parrott’s performance across various platforms. In a delightful twist, the Dublin Airport even briefly rebranded itself as Troy Parrott Airport on social media to commemorate his accomplishment.
The Citron-Crested Cockatoo
The newly named Troy is a citron-crested cockatoo, a critically endangered species. This unique parrot has lived at the zoo for the majority of its life. Farrell highlighted the importance of creating meaningful names for the zoo’s animals, stating that the idea of naming the bird after Parrott fell into place after watching the match. Farrell also hopes that the real Troy Parrott might visit the zoo to meet his feathered namesake.
Future Plans for the Parrots
- The cockatoo named Troy is one of only two of its kind at Dublin Zoo.
- He shares his habitat with a female cockatoo named Katie, after footballer Katie McCabe.
- The zoo aims to help breed these critically endangered birds as part of the European Zoo Breeding Programme.
Farrell described the cockatoo as “chirpy and cheerful,” highlighting its engaging and inquisitive nature. She believes that naming the bird after Parrott will draw more visitors to the zoo, raising awareness about the species and its conservation needs.
