By Gabs Mia
Kinshasa, DRC: In the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, enveloped by the lush canopy of the rainforest, a clandestine trade flourishes. This trade threatens the existence of one of the world’s most beloved and iconic birds, the African Grey Parrot.
Known for their grey plumage, these intelligent and charismatic birds have the remarkable ability to imitate human speech, making them highly sought after by collectors and pet owners around the world. Sadly, this demand has driven a thriving illegal export trade, pushing the species to the brink of extinction.
According to Birdlife Data Zone, The African Grey Parrot is classified as Endangered.
This is a result of the annual harvest for international trade, in combination with the rate of ongoing habitat loss.
These birds are illegally sold on the black market at exorbitant prices, enriching the criminal networks involved in this illicit trade.
A recent seizure of 309 of these critically endangered Grey Parrots in Turkey has shed light on the ongoing illegal trade of these iconic birds from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
At Istanbul Airport on August 19, officials intercepted a shipment falsely declared to contain green parrots, a species whose controlled export is permitted under a set quota. However, upon further investigation by Turkish authorities, the accompanying permits were found to be fraudulent, revealing the illegal export of Grey Parrots, a species strictly protected under Congolese law. Originating from Kinshasa, the parrots were destined for Iraq and Thailand, exposing a major operation involving the illegal trafficking of wildlife.
This seizure highlights the sophisticated methods used by smugglers to evade detection. By falsely declaring the parrots as a different species and using forged permits, the perpetrators attempted to conceal their illicit activities.
The DRC’s Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Management Authority, operating under the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), has been working tirelessly to combat the illegal trade of Grey Parrots.
The ban on their export has been in place since the recommendations of various CITES Standing Committees and was reaffirmed at the 77th session in Geneva in 2023.
Despite these efforts, the illegal trade continues to pose a serious threat to the survival of Grey Parrots. The recent seizure serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for increased enforcement and international cooperation to address this problem.
