A two-year-old Alexandrine parakeet has been reunited with her owner after an unexpected stay at Dublin Airport over the Easter weekend. The bird, known as Lola, was recovered from a car park near Terminal 1 and spent several days under the care of airport security and police before being returned to her home.
The reunion occurred on the evening of April 7, 2026, after airport staff and the police K9 unit worked to identify the bird’s owner. Lola was returned to Gheorghe Sava, who was identified as the owner through a combination of a registration tag and the bird’s immediate vocal reaction to hearing her name.
The incident began on Easter Sunday afternoon when two Dublin Express coach sellers spotted the colorful bird perched on a bin outside the terminal. They alerted two airport police officers who were on a routine patrol with their canine partner, a dog named Jimmy. Following a friendly interaction, the officers secured the bird and moved her to a temporary shelter.
From “Troy” to Lola: The Rescue Operation
During her brief residency at the airport, Lola became a temporary celebrity among the staff. Because her identity was not immediately known, the airport team briefly rebranded the bird as “Troy.” The rescue effort was largely spearheaded by the Airport Police K9 unit, who adapted their equipment to accommodate the avian guest.
Officers provided Lola with a temporary home in an old dog crate, which was later upgraded into a custom-built cage. To keep the parakeet entertained and comfortable, the K9 unit shared some of the toys typically reserved for their dogs. Staff also spent time observing the bird’s behavior, noting that she was particularly vocal whenever she felt she was not receiving enough attention.
The care team also discovered Lola’s specific dietary preferences during her stay. The bird showed a strong fondness for a variety of fresh fruits, including bananas, apples, watermelon, and strawberries, which were provided to keep her healthy and calm while the search for her owner continued.
Verification and Reunion
The process of returning Lola to her owner relied on a mix of physical evidence and behavioral cues. A spokesperson for daa, the company that operates the airport, confirmed that the team used a tag number attached to the bird to trace the owner back to Mr. Sava.
The final confirmation came during the handover, where Lola’s reaction to hearing her own name provided the emotional and practical proof needed to finalize the reunion. The airport used its official social media channels to announce the successful return of the bird to her owner.
Lola is officially back home.
After being spotted near Terminal 1, cared for by Airport Police and briefly rebranded as “Troy”, she has now been reunited with her owner, Gheorghe, this evening.
We were able to confirm Gheorghe was Lola’s owner through her tag number and her… pic.twitter.com/5VcP42vZc3
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) April 7, 2026
Mr. Sava expressed his gratitude for the efforts of the airport staff and the K9 unit. The coordination between the coach sellers, the patrol officers, and the airport administration ensured that the bird remained safe and well-fed throughout the holiday weekend.
Timeline of Events
| Phase | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery | Easter Sunday | Spotted on a bin near Terminal 1 by coach sellers. |
| Rescue | Sunday Afternoon | Secured by Airport Police and Jimmy the K9 dog. |
| Care | Easter Weekend | Housed in a custom cage. fed fruit and given dog toys. |
| Identification | April 7, 2026 | Owner verified via tag number and name recognition. |
| Reunion | April 7 Evening | Lola returned to Gheorghe Sava. |
The Role of Airport Security in Animal Welfare
While airport security is primarily focused on passenger safety and logistics, this incident highlights the flexibility of the K9 units and ground staff in handling unexpected wildlife or pet emergencies. The use of a “custom cage” and the careful monitoring of the bird’s diet demonstrate a level of care that goes beyond standard operational duties.
The spokesperson for daa emphasized the teamwork involved in the rescue, stating, “Huge thanks to everyone who helped make this happen, and a special shoutout to the Airport Police K9 unit who built Lola a custom cage and kept her well fed.”
For pet owners, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of identification tags. In this case, the tag number was the primary catalyst that allowed the airport team to move from a general “found bird” report to a specific owner identification, significantly shortening the time the animal spent in captivity.
Lola has now returned to her home environment, where she has been reunited with her fellow feathered companions. There are no further reports of missing pets in the Terminal 1 area, and the airport has returned to its standard security patrols.
We invite our readers to share their own stories of unexpected pet reunions or comments on the kindness of the Dublin Airport staff in the comments section below.
