GALENA ? A pet lovebird named Romeo has been saved from a 114-year-old tavern that is sinking into an old mine shaft in this southeast Kansas town.

Police Chief Larry Delmont said he retrieved the bird Wednesday after several of his officers volunteered for the job. He said he didn’t want any of them to take the risk.

The tavern, called the Green Parrot, began sinking into a rapidly growing hole earlier this week.

Mickey Morang ran the tavern with his mother, 80-year-old Opal Currey, and lived on the building’s second floor. The pair, along with Morang’s dog, were able to get out of the building.

But Romeo remained inside squawking as pieces of the building fell away.

Delmont said Morang was happy to be reunited with his pet, who was found in Morang’s apartment.

Delmont said the lovebird appeared to be in good condition, but it may have some wing damage.