Down, down: Hapless Coles crow finally checks out after weeks-long ordeal

A crow that spent weeks perched atop a fluorescent light inside a Coles supermarket on Brisbane’s northside has finally left the store.

A spokesman for Coles assured concerned customers that the bird was removed safely from the North Lakes store on Tuesday morning, after repeated failed attempts to catch it and coax it outside during its two-week ordeal.

“We’re pleased to confirm the crow has been safely removed from our store, and we thank our customers and the community for their patience,” the spokesman said.

However, he refused to reveal exactly how the crow was removed, or whether it made its own way to freedom.

The bird’s welfare generated concern among shoppers and hundreds of local Facebook users, who were initially outraged by rumours that Coles had contracted a third party to euthanise the bird.

Coles denied that rumour last week.

The crow appeared frazzled during its fortnight inside the store, perched on top of a ceiling light above the cosmetics aisle and leaving excrement on the floor below.

The RSPCA visited the supermarket and was told food and water had been made available.

Few people were more relieved at the news of the bird’s new-found freedom on Tuesday than Melissa Webb, who works at a clothing store in the North Lakes shopping centre.

Webb had been checking on the crow during her lunch break each day and advocating online for its rescue. But she remains worried about its welfare.

“We’re pretty concerned that it will need some kind of care, or at least a good check over after this ordeal,” Webb said.

“Hearing that it was just ‘removed’ is not good enough. I think Coles’ conduct around the entire situation has been really sad, especially considering how long the crow was in there, when we have local organisations who have done plenty of animal rescues in other stores and in other Westfields.”

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