It was nearly impossible to escape: the images of parrots found crammed into plastic bottles by smugglers bound for Jakarta, Indonesia.

The birds - nearly two dozen cockatoos and one Eclectus parrot - were seized by police at Surabaya’s Tanjung Perak port from a man who was arrested and is being held in custody pending an investigation.

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They endured heartbreaking conditions for four days, and indeed, more than half of them did not survive. The nine that did were sent to Marharani Zoo, where they are slowly recovering from their ordeal.

The zoo where the birds have been sent is in urgent need of support. The World Parrot Trust is raising funds to assist their rehabilitation and recovery, and help save other threatened parrots in Indonesia.

"These Cockatoos have showed us sheer strength in staying alive despite the ordeal they were put through. Four days and four nights without food or water, stuffed in bottles would have driven any human being to madness - why should other creatures be treated this way? Their suffering should not go unnoticed.

We must act - and now - so that others won’t be treated the same way. For now, these beautiful survivors need to be reminded that not all humans are cruel and desperate, by giving them the best care possible."

- Mehd Halaouate, WPT Indonesia Programme Manager

You can help these traumatized birds by giving what you can to this emergency. Please, donate today!

May 29 - UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who helped us reach our fundraising goal. Substantial work remains and additional donations are very welcomed!