Parrot could prevent billionaire docking in NZ

Roman Abramovich's $170m Le Grand Bleu, pictured in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Picture / East Bay Newspapers www.eastbayri.com

One of the world's biggest privately owned yachts, belonging to Russia's richest billionaire, may be barred from entering New Zealand because of a pet parrot.

The 100m-long Le Grand Bleu, worth around $170 million and named as one of the top 10 yachts in the world, is owned by Russian oil tycoon and Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich.

He is worth around $18 billion but even he may baulk at the $1 million bond the Herald understands quarantine officials are considering for his African grey parrot living aboard the yacht, which is in Tonga.

Officials here were contacted last week by the yacht's crew, who are understood to be hoping to enter New Zealand within the next three weeks.

But a passport for the parrot might not be forthcoming.

"We do not have an import health standard for parrots. We don't even have a standard for parrots in transit," said Biosecurity New Zealand spokesman Phil Barclay.

"The parrot could potentially carry a number of diseases, some of which are asymptomatic so it wouldn't be obvious just by looking at it whether it had one of those diseases."

The diseases could include up to 15 strains of avian bird flu.

The bird has an identifying microchip under its skin but that would not help if it escaped. "It's not a GPS locator beacon," Mr Barclay said.

A bond was one option being considered. Others could include putting the bird into quarantine or making the yacht stay at its first port of call in Auckland. "If it went elsewhere, where the parrot went could be an issue," said Mr Barclay.

The importing of exotic plants and animals is done under strict biosecurity laws normally requiring a health import standard, which assesses the risk they might pose. The process can take months, and there is a backlog of species awaiting clearance.

The rules for temporary importation of an exotic species are not clear.

Mr Abramovich, 38, is known to be extremely protective of his privacy. His profile rose after he bought Chelsea, splurging more than $700 million on the ailing club to take it to the top of the English Premier League.

His other assets include a $27 million Georgian townhouse in London and a Boeing 767.

African grey parrots mimic a wide variety of sounds, including human speech. They grow up to 41cm long, have grey feathers with white patches around the eyes and red tail feathers, and are native to central Africa.

The breed has been called "the perfect mix of brains and beauty" and the "cadillac of parrots" thanks to its gift of speech.

It is not known whether Mr Abramovich will join the yacht in NZ.

Le Grand Bleu will have to dock outside the Hilton Hotel at Princes Wharf because it is too big for Viaduct Harbour.