1000 Grey parrots rescued from trappers in Cameroon

Grey parrots arrive at the rescue center in the cramped conditions of their original shipping crates

February 2010. The World Parrot Trust (WPT) has sent emergency funds to aid in the treatment and housing of over 1000 Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus), the largest group of illegally trapped Grey Parrots ever seized in Cameroon.

The seizure, which occurred in early February, is the third such confiscation of this species in the country since December 2007. The aid is being directed to Limbe Wildlife Centre (LWC) and the Last Great Ape Organization (LAGA), two independent African wildlife rescue groups working with government officials to coordinate the seizures and subsequent care of the birds - in an attempt to reduce the trade in this species. This aid follows closely on the heels of emergency funding sent by the WPT in response to a smaller seizure of 300 birds in November of 2009.

Funds needed immediately; wildlife centre inundated
The parrots were delivered to the Limbe Wildlife Centre shortly after the confiscation, which was spearheaded by the Last Great Ape Organization. The shipment, which was scheduled to leave for Kuwait and Bahrain International Airports, respectively, was without proper documentation from international authorities. Upon arrival at Limbe it was discovered that 47 of the birds were already dead, with another 30 dying of thirst and stress on the first day.

Save the Greys Fund
To support the rehabilitation effort for these birds with an online donation, click here:

Dozens of shipping crates contained the 1000 confiscated grey parrots. The birds (seen in the background) are now being rehabilitated at the Limbe Wildlife Centre, a wildlife rescue located in the African country of Cameroon. Photos courtesy of The World Parrot Trust Copyright: Limbe Wildlife Centre

Simone de Vries, manager of Limbe, stated "It makes you sick to see how the parrots are packed in the boxes, the weaker ones trampled by the strongest." The centre has been inundated with the sudden appearance of the Greys, still having to deal with the remaining birds of the shipment from November of last year. The current group of parrots is being kept in ape quarantine enclosures, as there is nowhere else to house them.

Parrot populations declining
The Grey Parrot is listed as near threatened by the 2009 IUCN Red List, as evaluated by Bird Life International. Their threatened status is due to the persistent heavy trapping of these parrots for the wild bird trade. Illegal trapping continues in Cameroon, in spite of measures being taken by local and international communities.

International groups working together to end parrot trade
The World Parrot Trust and its partners have recently launched the FlyFree program (www.parrots.org/flyfree), the first international campaign aimed specifically at providing support to front-line wildlife rescue groups working to end the wild-caught bird trade and return parrots to the wild, in more than a dozen locations worldwide.

Many of the birds arrived at the rescue center with wing feathers tied together. This action is done by the trappers to prevent the birds from escaping after capture. Photos courtesy of The World Parrot Trust Copyright: Limbe Wildlife Centre