An American man’s engineering ingenuity has enabled his pet parakeet to achieve what few avian creatures ever experience—a 15-minute underwater exploration of the Bahamas ocean floor inside a bespoke six-inch submarine complete with oxygen supply and safety features.
Steven Lawyer’s green parrot Bebe became an internet sensation after footage emerged showing the bird contentedly bobbing alongside coral reefs and tropical fish whilst enclosed in his owner’s repurposed food container fitted with air valves connected to a paintball cylinder delivering breathable atmosphere.
“He’s having the time of his life,” one viewer commented on the viral videos, with another joking: “His friends are not gonna believe him.”
Mr Lawyer insisted Bebe entered the miniature submersible “willingly” and showed no stress during the aquatic journey, with footage appearing to show the parakeet nodding contentedly whilst observing marine life through his transparent vessel.
The custom-built submarine—which included a safety alarm though it remains unclear whether Bebe understood activation procedures—underwent bathtub testing before the pair ventured into open water for the underwater expedition.
However, some critics condemned the stunt as irresponsible. “He has no business down there,” one commenter stated, noting the bird occupied “the literal exact opposite place” of his natural habitat.
Remarkably, underwater exploration represents merely the latest unconventional activity in Bebe’s adventurous existence alongside his owner, who has previously taken the parakeet skydiving inside a belly-strapped bubble during freefall jumps.
The green bird “voluntarily hopped into” the transparent sphere for aerial adventures, according to Mr Lawyer, who claims Bebe has become “a celebrity of sorts” after accompanying the family on week-long bicycle expeditions.
The unusual pet-owner dynamic raises questions about animal welfare and appropriate activities for domesticated birds, with veterinary experts typically recommending parrots remain in environments mimicking their natural tropical habitats rather than underwater or high-altitude excursions.
Parakeets naturally inhabit forest canopies and grasslands rather than marine environments, making Bebe’s submarine journey particularly extraordinary—if controversial—amongst bird enthusiasts debating whether such activities constitute enrichment or exploitation.
Mr Lawyer’s creative engineering enabling his pet’s unconventional experiences has garnered substantial online attention, though reactions remain divided between those celebrating the innovative human-animal bonding and critics questioning whether subjecting birds to such environments serves their welfare interests.
The viral footage joins growing online content documenting unusual pet activities, though Bebe’s submarine adventure appears unprecedented amongst domesticated bird exploits captured for public consumption.
