Publix , the TERMINATOR

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Publix: Where Shopping Is a Pleasure unless you're a Sparrow

This Terminator story is not science fiction and all the characters are real--a giant corporation versus a helpless little Sparrow.

I have a soft spot for animals and birds and wouldn't kill a fly. Most of us are caring and want to protect our living creatures. Everything we do is vitally important no matter how minuscule we might think it to be...like opening a window to shoo the bug out instead of swatting it. In the grand scheme of things our seemingly small actions add up to a lot. I am always showing my bird photos on this blog. Their habitats are threatened today and it is our responsibility to protect them in anyway that we can.

Over last weekend, what was described as a little house sparrow weighing about ¾ of an ounce flew into the Publix on W. Lantana Road. On Monday it was gone. Originally it was reported to me that there were two birds. Naturally I was curious…how did this giant, wealthy corporation, Publix, take care of (get rid of) this little tiny sparrow that had lost its way? I called the store manager, Thomas Zemaitis, and asked what happened. He knew "nothing about it" as he had just returned to work after having been off for a week. Once I asked for an official statement, he said that he would get back to me the next day.

On Tuesday, I got a call from Leslie Spencer, Director of Consumer Relations at Publix’s corporate offices in Lakeland. She told me that the bird was definitely not a Mockingbird (does it make a difference?) but a Sparrow and Publix had only received two concerned calls regarding the bird. (I guess the lack of calls made it insignificant). She said that the store has now put up deterrents so that hopefully little birds will no longer fly into the store. They recently installed kites with streamers near the center entrance and above the doors. They “fixed” a sign where birds were chirping and hanging out. I asked her what happened to the bird that flew into her store and she stated that the bird was TERMINATED.

Ms. Spencer talked about Avian flu and other diseases that humans can contract from birds and why it was so important to rid the store of this sparrow. Ways to keep Birds at Bay

The most expedient thing for Publix to do was to kill the bird. Anything else was going to be too big of a hassle I guess. When asked how it was terminated, she said she didn’t know. The store management apparently did not call anyone to help capture this little bird. Publix has no policy on this and Ms. Spencer indicated that each of its stores are different.

Although this bird was first introduced to North America in 1852 and is one of the most abundant birds in North American, Cynthina Plockelman, first vice president of the Audubon Society of the Everglades described the sparrow as an “exotic pest.” She indicated that lots of the stores have these little birds and normally they are just left alone. "You just shoo them out," she said.

Ms. Plockelman had no suggestions as to what a store should do if a bird flies in and when their ceilings are high. She suggested that I visit the Audubon Web Site. I took her advice but it gave no information as to whom to call or what to do in such a circumstance.

The bird was frantic and chirping a lot, just looking for a caring hand.

It was stressed and looking for a way out of its situation.

Those shoppers that noticed the bird(s) gone were concerned.

It is our responsibility to remember that the interests of creatures must always comes first...wildlife, its environment, and the rights of living things. In any conflict of interest between birds, the welfare of the birds and their environment is a priority. Afterall, we are the ones who have infringed upon them.

Publix was NOT a pleasure that day at least for that little bird; Publix forgot that the life of this little bird is important and their responsibility to protect it was cast aside for the easy solution.

If you're shopping at Publix on W. Lantana Road today, ask about the little Sparrow.