Thinking Twice About Endangered Animals
The Democratic Republic of Congo has a huge problem with African Grey parrots being smuggled out of their habitat. These valuable parrots are being smuggled at an alarming rate and depleting them in their habitat. Smugglers attempt to go from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Uganda as it is a frequent jumping-off place for the smugglers to get these parrots to the advantageous European and Asian demand for these parrots.
Over 130 unprotected Grey parrots were confiscated in the attempt to bring them out out of DRC to Uganda. The woman was carrying a fake permit to bring the illegally caught Greys to Uganda and was caught as she was crossing the Congolese border. The Parrots were fed alcohol-laced sugar cane so they would not make much noise and be somnolent. The illegal trade in Grey parrots has increased over the years because of the high demand to have them as pets, due to their speaking ability. Last year over 500 were confiscated when they were attempting to smuggle them out of the Congo. Staffers at the Libyan Embassy knowingly had five of these vulnerable parrots and were taken from them.
The Congolese government allows 5000 to be exported out of the Congo jungle in a year. Europe and the United states now have a complete ban on the importation of many parrots and it also includes the African Grey. The African Grey parrot is listed as near endangered but if people continue to smuggle them at the alarming rate that is being done soon the Grey will become endangered. Those that are smuggling the Grey parrot are doing it so they can have food on their table. The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the poorest countries in the world and here is a lucrative business to make a few dollars at the expense of taking these precious creatures from their habitat. African Greys live in large flocks and by stealing them from the Congo; they are separating families and even be leaving chicks in the nest to die because they cannot fend for themselves.
This is a lucrative business because of the high demand for Greys. Many people that want a parrot only want a parrot that talks. African Greys are considered the Einstein of the parrot world because of their talking ability and tricks they can do. In due time people need to realize that by taking these endangered animals from their environment there will be no more Greys in the wild, they will only see them in zoos.
I am imploring to people to buy hand-fed babies that are born in their country of origin and stop the smuggling of these beautiful parrots. Only you and I can that can prevent this atrocity from happening.
Over 130 unprotected Grey parrots were confiscated in the attempt to bring them out out of DRC to Uganda. The woman was carrying a fake permit to bring the illegally caught Greys to Uganda and was caught as she was crossing the Congolese border. The Parrots were fed alcohol-laced sugar cane so they would not make much noise and be somnolent. The illegal trade in Grey parrots has increased over the years because of the high demand to have them as pets, due to their speaking ability. Last year over 500 were confiscated when they were attempting to smuggle them out of the Congo. Staffers at the Libyan Embassy knowingly had five of these vulnerable parrots and were taken from them.
The Congolese government allows 5000 to be exported out of the Congo jungle in a year. Europe and the United states now have a complete ban on the importation of many parrots and it also includes the African Grey. The African Grey parrot is listed as near endangered but if people continue to smuggle them at the alarming rate that is being done soon the Grey will become endangered. Those that are smuggling the Grey parrot are doing it so they can have food on their table. The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the poorest countries in the world and here is a lucrative business to make a few dollars at the expense of taking these precious creatures from their habitat. African Greys live in large flocks and by stealing them from the Congo; they are separating families and even be leaving chicks in the nest to die because they cannot fend for themselves.
This is a lucrative business because of the high demand for Greys. Many people that want a parrot only want a parrot that talks. African Greys are considered the Einstein of the parrot world because of their talking ability and tricks they can do. In due time people need to realize that by taking these endangered animals from their environment there will be no more Greys in the wild, they will only see them in zoos.
I am imploring to people to buy hand-fed babies that are born in their country of origin and stop the smuggling of these beautiful parrots. Only you and I can that can prevent this atrocity from happening.
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