The Democratic Republic of Congo has welcomed back 112 African Grey parrots in a landmark moment in the fight to end trafficking of parrots in the region. Grey parrots, are classified as Endangered, have been captured in the wild in enormous numbers to supply the exotic pet trade. The parrots were part of a group of 309 wild parrots (of which 252 were African Greys) seized in Turkey on route to Iraq, Kuwait and Thailand and had been concealed within containers along with Red-fronted parrots which can still be legally traded under current international agreements.
After being intercepted by Turkish officials, the parrots were transferred to a wildlife park in Turkey. Soon after the confiscation, officials from the Turkish and Congolese CITES Management Authorities, supported by wildlife conservation organisations including the World Parrot Trust, began planning how the parrots could be brought home. A major hurdle in the repatriation was overcome when Turkish Airlines, the airline which had been used to traffic the parrots, agreed to fly the parrots back to Kinshasa free of charge. Turkish Airlines and WPT are members of the United for Wildlife programme under the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales, which works across the transport sector to tackle wildlife trafficking. The World Parrot Trust liaised with Turkish Airlines following the seizure to discuss the repatriation of the parrots and is committed to working with United for Wildlife and Turkish Airlines to develop measures to tackle the trafficking of Grey parrots. Previous investigations by WPT have revealed how Turkish Airlines is used by parrot traffickers.
On arrival in Kinshasa, the parrots were temporarily housed and taken care of in the Jardin Zoologique in Kinshasa before flying onwards to Kindu in Maniema Province. Dr. Steven Janssen, an experienced wildlife veterinarian and the World Parrot Trust’s Wild Parrot Care Coordinator, travelled to Kinshasa to assist in the care for the parrots, conduct health checks and oversee their transport. Following their arrival in Kindu the parrots are being cared for at the Dingi Parrot Conservation Centre, part of the Projet de Protection des Perroquets (P3C) implemented by the Lukuru Foundation and founded with WPT support. In October and November Dr. Janssen visited the P3C to deliver training and capacity building in the management and care of parrots being received by the project. New aviaries are being built to accommodate this latest group. Following quarantine, health assessments and the final stages of their rehabilitation, it is hoped that the majority can be released back into the wild to restore populations in the Lomami National Park.
“This was an incredible team effort by many people and organisations, not least the team working with the Lukuru Foundation, who showed impressive dedication to getting these parrots home throughout. We’re hugely grateful to the ICCN, the Turkish Management Authority, Turkish Airlines, the Jardin Zoologique in Kinshasa and the many other individuals and organisations who all played a role. There were sleepless nights and very long days but seeing these parrots arrive in Kindu and knowing that they will one day soon be flying free again has made it all worth it.” explained Dr Janssen.
The excitement surrounding the return of the parrots attracted the attention of the media including coverage on national TV and the radio.
This repatriation also sends a strong message to people involved in illegal wildlife trade. Speaking to the press, Radar Nshuli, of the Institute Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) said ”These parrots may have escaped control at our airports, but they have been stopped in Turkey and now they are back in DRC. We want people to know that when it comes to protected species, no matter where you go, you will be stopped. We will track down all of those who destroy our nature.”
In a press release statement the Director General of the ICCN, Yves Milan Ngangay, confirmed that the accused traffickers had been brought before the courts, which is continuing to investigate the case and that criminals would face the full rigour of the law.
Photo Credits: Steven Janssen and Robert J Ross.
Minister of Environment from Maniema province (in the middle) visits the aviary at Kinshasa Zoo.
From L to R: Pétillon (zoo keeper, resp. for parrots), John Hart and Terese Hart from P3C and Steven Janssen from WPT
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