Working to protect wild African Greys
Grey Parrots are fast disappearing throughout much of their former range. This bird has declined in the wild due to unsustainable levels of trade, poaching, and habitat destruction. With your help we can change the grim outlook for these charismatic birds.
Ending the trade in all wild caught African parrots
Parrots populations across Africa have suffered continued losses for decades due to capture for the pet trade. One of the hardest hit species is the Grey Parrot. During the period of 1994-2003, over 359,000 wild-caught individuals were reportedly exported from range states.(*) Our efforts will continue to encourage regional governments and local NGOs to endorse trade bans, support efforts to capture poachers, and enforce wildlife laws.
Aiding rehabilitation and release efforts for confiscated birds
When local efforts succeed in stopping illegal wildlife trade confiscated birds are often left in need of housing and rehabilitation before they can be reintroduced to the wild. With over 20 years of experience, we at the WPT are uniquely positioned to provide veterinary assistance and advise on appropriate parrot care to aid these birds.
Encouraging sustainable alternatives to parrot trapping
The trade in wild caught parrots continues due to high demand. This trade creates an income for individuals and local communities which benefit from the trade. When enforcement efforts succeed in halting the trade, alternative sources of income must be sought for these communities -- to permanently alter their reliance on income from the parrot trade. We will work to help find sustainable sources of income and alternatives that help protect parrots.
Re-establishing wild populations in suitable areas of their former range
Grey Parrot population declines have been noted in many Africa countries including Burundi, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Togo, Uganda and parts of Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. (*) Although suitable and protected habitat may remain in national parks and reserves often no birds remain. We will work with local governments and NGOs to re-introduce recently confiscated parrots into former range areas to re-establish the species in suitable and protected environments.
Raising awareness for the plight of wild Grey Parrots
We will continue our efforts to educate in local communities and by increasing international attention to the plight of these parrots.
Source:
(*) Birdlife: Grey Parrot - Birdlife Species Factsheet
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