Wally the Galah, a beloved painting stolen from an Adelaide hospital, has been returned to his rightful home much to the delight of his creator and hospital staff.
The work by artist Kelly Batsiokis was stolen in broad daylight from the cardiology unit of the Lyell McEwin Hospital in Elizabeth Vale on December 28.
The thief was caught on CCTV outside, strapping the painting to the roof of his VZ Commodore and driving away.
Police searched a house in Salisbury Heights on Tuesday and reported a 38-year-old man for theft and possessing a prohibited weapon.
He will appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court at a later date.
Despite allegedly finding an extendable baton inside the man's home, officers were unable to determine the whereabouts of wayward Wally.
By a stroke of luck, a member of the public found the painted parrot at an Elizabeth North business on Friday morning and handed it in to police.
Fortunately, Wally appears to have only sustained some minor damage to his frame.
"Amazing news!" Ms Batsiokis wrote on her website.
"After being missing for over a week, Wally the Galah has been found! He has now been returned to his rightful home at the Lyell McEwin Cardiology waiting area.
"As distressing as this whole ordeal has been, I am grateful that he is not damaged."
Staff at the Lyell McEwin were equally thrilled to have him back.
"Our beloved Wally has been recovered," the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network wrote on Facebook.
"Great work South Australia Police and our local community for finding him and bringing him home."
