Rowan Martin, PhD

2017 – An important year for African Greys

Dec 23, 2017

At this time of year, it’s always worth taking stock of the year that was, what’s been achieved and where we need to be focusing our efforts for the next. It’s been an incredibly busy year for WPT’s Africa programme with a large focus on protecting Grey and Timneh parrots. Here’s a brief summary of...

Fighting for African Grey parrots!

Nov 24, 2017

Next week countries from around the world will gather in Geneva to discuss ways to manage the global trade in endangered wildlife. On the agenda is the trade in African Grey and Timneh Parrots following the decision by CITES to end legal international trade in wild parrots last year. This was a...

South Africa’s Cape parrots recognised as a separate species

Jun 16, 2017

The taxonomy of one of South Africa’s most iconic birds, the ‘Green and Gold’ Cape Parrot, appears finally to be settled, with various national, regional, and international bodies reaching consensus that they should be considered a distinct species. 

'Cape parrots', which will be known as ...

Endangered African parrots seized from illegal trade

Feb 16, 2017

Last month two seizures of wild Timneh parrots in illegal trade were made in Liberia and taken to a purpose-built facility at Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary. The birds have responded well to emergency medical treatment and are already showing signs of recovery after their stressful ordeal, according to...