African grey parrot; Photo by Ahmed Zayan (unsplash)

For many of us, interactions with parrots have been through cages. Parrots and parakeets make common pets in Indian households, as in the rest of the world. Desired as pets for their unique ability to mimic and colorful plumage, these intelligent birds are captured en-masse and also bred in captivity to fuel the massive global pet market.

There is an especially high demand for exotic species like the African grey parrot, the intelligence of which is ranked among the highest in the animal kingdom, and at par with apes and cetaceans. Their ability to mimic voices and their problem-solving capabilities have also made them stars of several TV shows. Listed as “Endangered” in the IUCN Red List of species, more than 1.2 million African grey parrots have been traded globally since the 1970s. They are also known as the “world’s most traded birds” and are listed under Appendix I in CITES (of which, India is also a signatory).

African greys have for long, been hunted from the wild. While this has had a highly detrimental effect on wild parrot population, the massive scale of trade has also led to biosecurity implications. Wildlife Trust of India’s enforcement team helped bust one of such rackets that illegally traded in the African greys.

A call for help

More than 100 parrot species across the globe today, face extinction in the wild. Consequently, when a person from World’s Parrot Trust (WPT) called in Wildlife Trust of India, there was a distinguishable sense of urgency. The World Parrot Trust, founded by Mike Reynolds, an international conservation organization, vested in the protection of these unique birds. WPT had been following a nexus dealing with the trade of African Grey Parrots in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). After months of follow-up, WPT was finally closing in on apprehending the kingpin of the operation and needed operational support to execute the arrests.

Seizing the illegal consignment of African greys in DRC; Photo by: WPT

A fight against international illegal trade in wildlife

Along with most Southeast Asian countries, African grey parrots have a huge market in India too. WTI’s Crime Control Division has been actively following up on the international trade in the bird. The team was monitoring one such trafficker from DRC for the past year, in collaboration with the World Parrot Trust, Conserve Congo and International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

Endemic to the DCR region, this bird faces a huge threat of population decline due to illegal trade. The collaborative efforts of the conservation NGOs were trying to put an end to this.

The Operation

WTI tied up with WPT and Conserve Congo, a conservation NGO, to get on-ground support for the operation. The Ugandan Wildlife Authority, UPDF and the Uganda Police Department were also roped in while IFAW assisted in the financials of the operation.

WTI analysed the background case details provided by the WPT and Conserve Congo team and arranged a meeting with source persons to discuss the strategies and work plan to proceed. An investigator was deployed to develop the case and establish a direct contact with the trafficker with the help of on-ground support team. Eventually, the team was able to extract more information on the trade to follow. The trader would use his connections with DRC officials and acquire fake CITES certificates, allowing international transport of the birds.

DRC officials examining the seized consignment; Photo by: WPT

However, owing to logistical complicacies this time around, the transport was rescheduled from the usual trade route. With timely information at hand, officials were finally able to apprehend the cargo and the traders in Kibaya village, Bunagana town council Kisoro District, Uganda.

More than 100 African grey parrots were seized from the trafficker. Bob Kabongo, the major kingpin was simultaneously arrested red-handed with 122 live African grey parrots in the borders of Kisoro district in Uganda. The confiscated birds were sent for rehabilitation to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) and the arrested trafficker was taken under custody at the Central Police station Kampala.

The Judgement

While the parrots were in the rehabilitation centre, on 13^th May 2022, the standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court Uganda found the DRC Citizen Bob guilty for unlawful possession and importing wild birds without a valid licence. Within a month of the operation, the Ugandan court sentenced the grey parrot trafficker to seven years of jail. This quick and effective judgement on a wildlife case will surely create some fear amongst wildlife traffickers.

Rescued African grey parrots in the rehabilitation centre at DRC; Photo by: WPT

A fight that is far from over

While this was a huge success, parrots across the globe continue to be traded. Trapping and sale of wild-caught parrots is a major animal welfare issue, with a mortality rate between 40% and 60% with species like the African grey parrot. There needs to be a major shift in the mind-set. Even in India, despite the ban on the trade of all Indian parakeet species, the illegal markets are still rampant and tens of thousands of endemic birds are collected and sold every year. All Indian parakeets are protected under schedule IV of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 but people still buy them and the illegal markets flourish.

African Grey Parrot; Photo by Itay Peer (unsplash)

The African grey parrot case was a perfect example of hard work of organizations located in different parts of the world need to collaborate to stop the illegal wildlife trafficking. However, until the demand ceases and we stop feeling good about putting birds in cages, the massacre will continue.

At Wildlife Trust of India, we have been working to counter illegal trade in wildlife species by working with local governments, enforcement agencies and the general masses. Be a part of our efforts. Know more about our work here.

Madhumay Mallik is a member of our Communications team, raring to travel and tell conservation stories from the field.