Black Sheep Bird Bandit: the story of Freddie Angell
Sep 12, 2024
Documentary-maker Andy MacDonald delves into the wild life of Freddie Angell, New Zealand's infamous wildlife smuggler. The discussion reveals Freddie's mischievous childhood antics evolving into serious wildlife crimes. Tales of his smuggling escapades, from stealing native birds to raiding museums for reptiles, paint a vivid picture of the dark underbelly of wildlife trafficking. With reflections on his dual life as a pet lover and criminal, MacDonald balances humor with urgent conservation messages, highlighting the implications of Angell's actions.
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The Clock Thief
- Freddie Angel, as a child, stole a clock from his teacher's desk, multiple times.
- The teacher knew where to look when the clock went missing: Freddie's bag.
The Corn Thief
- Freddie's thefts escalated as he grew older, including stealing and selling a neighbor's corn.
- He claimed he grew the corn himself.
The Baling Twine Incident
- Freddie once tried to sell a ton of baling twine to Peter Thompson's father.
- Thompson's father refused, knowing Freddie's reputation for stealing from farm sheds.