Reginald Taylor Hattiesburg, Miss - It's a plane! It’s Superman! No, actually, it’s Ms. Ruby, a gifted scarlet mascaw hailing from South America. She is one of the many gems currently on exhibit at the Hattiesburg Zoo located in Hattiesburg, Miss.
 Ruby’s day usually begins at 8 a.m. After eating a hearty breakfast, which consists of fruits and vegetables and her favorite entree, parrot chow, she heads out to greet and entertain guests of the zoo. Ruby delights in dazzling her audience with flips, various sounds and wing tricks. Even her assistant, education curator Krissy Hamilton, is awed at times with Ruby’s talents. “She never fails to amaze me,” said Krissy. “She is highly intelligent, and she learns at a very fast pace.” Due to wide, strong wings, scarlet macaws can reach speeds of 35 mph. Though mighty, many of the birds are extremely humble, including Ruby. Krissy described Ruby as a “toddler who loves to be nurtured, encouraged and connected.” Although scarlet mascaws have a lifespan of 70 years, research shows their numbers have decreased due to a combination of hunting, poaching, destruction of habitat and capture for the pet trade. Krissy said the birds, native to Central and South America, often become unwanted pets though once people get wind of their sounds and special needs. She said Ruby, however, continues to defy the odds and “makes life beautiful to all she touches.” To learn more about Ruby or how you can meet her, please contact Krissy Hamilton of the Hattiesburg Zoo at 601.545.4576. For more information about the zoo, please visit www.hattiesburgms.com/przoo.html. This interview obtained by chinika.com may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of Chinika, LLC .
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Introducing Ms. Ruby
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