A NEW YORK CITY millionaire who died this summer has bequeathed a US$100,000 trust fund to care for her 32 pet cockatiels.

    The New York Post reported Saturday that Leslie Ann Mandel’s will asks that the small parrots continue living in an aviary at her US$4 million East Hampton home.

    Mandel named her stepson, Matthew Herzog, as trustee of a pet fund that painstakingly lists the names of every cockatiel in addition to detailed instructions on how to care for the birds.

    “It is my wish that the birds be fed and the building cleaned each Monday and Thursday and their food shall be purchased from Avi-Cakes, carrots, water and popcorn,” Mandel’s will says.

    Mandel, who died in June at 69 after being admitted to a hospital for kidney stones, founded The Rich List Company, a fundraising firm. Mandel’s estate totaled US$5.3 million.

    The birds might have to wait for their generous gift, however. In a 2005 version of her will, Mandel left most of her earnings to her husband, author Arthur Herzog, and her stepson. But Mandel’s sister, Avis Mandel, produced a will she claims Mandel signed in 2006, naming Avis as the recipient. Herzog and Avis Mandel are due in court next month.

    (SD-Agencies)