Employees at the Sea World Pet Center are asking for the safe return of Charlie, a pet lovebird, after the bird was stolen from the store during the evening hours of May 7.

Joanne Leone, manager of the bird section, said the lovebird was the pet of the store manager and routinely spent the day entertaining customers inside the South Broadway shop over the past four years. She described Charlie as the store’s ambassador.

“He was just an unbelievably outgoing bird,” she said. “We just want him returned.”

Leone had been watching a pair of individuals hold the bird when she turned her attention to another customer. In that time, the two individuals slipped out of the store with the pet lovebird, she said.

“I had been watching them. I’ve been retail so long you get a feel for who is up to something, but somebody came in needing help with a sick bird and I went of to show them what medicines to get and when I got back, Charlie was gone and so were the people,” she said.

According to Leone, the store’s security cameras caught on tape one of the individuals leaving the shop with the pet bird.

Valued at about $170, Charlie is described as bright yellow in color with orange cheek patches. Police are investigating the theft, but the store is not planning to press any charges if he is returned, Leone said. Charlie’s owner, who declined to comment, is also offering a $300 reward.

According to Leone, the store’s employees are also planning to set up a Web site to spread the word about his disappearance.

“If you’re a pet owner, they become your lives. Certainly having something ripped away from you and not knowing where he is, if he’s being properly fed and all of those things are in your mind,” Leone said. “It’s one thing to go in and steal a leash and a pair of shoes, but when you’re stealing a live animal, that goes beyond the bounds.”

If anyone has information about the bird, Leone said they can call 898-1441 or 490-4294.