On April 19, an expensive and valuable Big Bird costume (valued at $120,000) was stolen from the Sesame Street Circus Spectacular, a touring circus that features Sesame Street characters alongside international performers. The traveling circus was in Bonython Park, Australia, when the costume was robbed. 

The circus had to officially announce Big Bird’s unforeseen absence on their Facebook page, disappointing thousands of kids and parents who would be unable to see the lovable yellow bird on the circus until it was found. Many commenters portrayed their anguish for the lost bird, calling the thieves dishonest and awful. 

Big Bird is a yellow eight-foot-tall bird from the popular children’s show Sesame Street. He is used in the show to demonstrate activities like dancing or swimming. Big Bird has been entertaining children for decades now and is very well-known. His disappearance from the circus was heartbreaking because of how iconic he has grown to be.

Thankfully, the thieves returned the bird costume four days later. They dropped it outside of the circus venue at The barton with a note inside of its beak. The note was an apology handwritten by the “Big Bird Bandits,” who stated that they were very sorry for having been a “birden.” The note also mentioned that the bandits had meant no harm, and were only trying to cheer themselves up. They had not harmed Big Bird during their time with it. 

The bird costume was flown from New York to participate in the circus after proper authorities confirmed that the costume had not been tampered with or damaged. The police identified the two men and charged them with theft and being on the premises. They will have to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on June 30, 2021. 

by Nathan Park