Arianna Mouradjiian, Director of Operations at Rhode Island Wildlife Rehabilitation, holds two lorikeets rescued from a home in Connecticut.
Daniel Kopulos, who owned the pet store Fauna on 88th Street and Columbus that recently closed, owns property in Connecticut where police say they made a shocking discovery. They found hundreds of exotic birds, reptiles, and other animals last month in conditions an official called “horrific,” according to the Weston Forum.
“More than 130 live birds and 90 snakes were removed from the house at 82 Newtown Turnpike. Many were thin and malnourished and were living in cages covered in filth, according to authorities.
The remains of hundreds of dead birds and snakes were also found in the house and an outbuilding, which was also full of live birds and was being used as an aviary.”
Kopulos, pictured at left, is expected to be charged with animal cruelty this week, said Sgt. Patrick Daubert of the Weston Police Department in a phone interview with West Side Rag. “The warrant is going to be issued and we expect he will be arrested this week,” Daubert said. Daubert said he assumes the animals came from Kopulos’ Upper West Side pet store: “Who the hell else would have all these animals?”
It’s not clear exactly what happened, but Daubert suspects that “something in his life went sideways.” Kopulos has been cooperating with investigators, Daubert said.
A police official talks more about the case in the video below:
The Washington Post has also covered the story, and further described conditions:
“Some of the animals were trapped in stacks of bug-infested cages and aquariums; others were hidden beneath rotting piles of trash, cobwebs and debris. In some areas of the house, the floor was carpeted with several inches of urine-soaked refuse, birdseed and desiccated animal remains.”
What’s even more confusing is that Kopulos is a wildlife conservationist who “was widely admired as a force for good — a dedicated advocate for endangered birds and other threatened species.”
We reached out to Kopulos for comment through Fauna’s website, but have not heard back. The Post also attempted to contact him and received some emailed responses, but he would not speak with them.
Kopulos declined repeated attempts to be interviewed by The Washington Post, but said in brief emails that the case “has destroyed my life, my reputation, and is spilling over to my employees and others that are close to me.” People close to him are being harassed by “animal welfare people,” he wrote, adding that he worried about the “devastating effects” a story about him might have on his conservation work.
“There is obviously another side to the story,” he wrote, without elaborating.
Rhode Island Parrot Rescue is attempting to rehabilitate the birds that were found. “We desperately need donations of cash, towels, bird supplies, and even a large heated space that may be available for a period of 60 days.” To learn more and help out, see their webpage here.
Our tipster on this story, who asked to remain anonymous, said that people also need to look more closely at where animals from pet stores are sourced.
Thumbnail of Kopulos from photo by Kathryn Elsesser on Fauna website.
Thank goodness he’s left our neighborhood.
This is so disturbing. I live in the area and every time i passed by i honestly thought this was a great shop! A true animal activist. i guess not….
I’d guess he probably thought he was protecting them. Hoarders aren’t usually thinking too rationally.
I wonder if he’s one of the noisy chimp people.
Rhode Island Parrot Rescue. People have too much time on their hands.
Was Fauna on 88th and Columbus the same store that later moved to 87th btwn West End and Broadway?
Other way around. They were on 87th then moved to Columbus and 88th before closing.
Actually, they were on Amsterdam between 85th and 86th, then moved to 87th between Broadway and WEA, then to Columbus and 88th.
I have visited them many times in all locations and I will say that they have rescued many animals. Some of them are going to look less than healthy, like their famous permanently molting/bald African grey parrot. Over the years, every time they moved,the store got smaller and/or less appealing and I wondered how they were making it financially. I suspect funds ran out simultaneous with him trying to save too many. And nowhere to send the animals which he had taken under his “wing.”
Those poor animals. I donated to the rescue group. Hope they can rehabilitate them and find them good homes.
is that Kopolus in the small picture or Judge Reinhold in Fast Times at Ridgemont High ?
I’m honestly shocked. Fauna was a wonderful store and the employees I met were so caring and knowledgeable about the animals there. The birds and fish were second to none. Obviously they have nothing to do with this, but because the store was so well kept, I always thought the owner had the highest standards. I cannot believe this.
Oh, my gosh! We spent a lot of time in his stores over the years, the birds, fish, reptiles (and at one time rodents) were all well cared for and we left our own cold blooded housemate in their care many times whilst on vacation. I am shocked that he would allow an animal, any animal, to be harmed. But, animal hoarding is absolutely a sign of deeper mental illness and I hope he gets the help he needs and faces the legal consequences. I really am surprised.
I’m shocked. 10 years ago he ran Uptown Bird on 86th and Amsterdam. When the market tanked in 2008 and people were losing their jobs and homes, there was a sign in the window at Uptown Bird : Lost Parrot. $10,000 reward. He morphed from there into Fauna on 87th, where I got one of his especially-bred violet parakeets. He always took time to listen and explain things. His life must really have gone sideways. You always hurt the ones you love.
Really shocked. He was always helpful in answering my questions. It sounds like depression, some mental illness.