World Parrot Day: Celebrating Conservation Efforts for the Endangered African Grey Parrot

As we celebrate World Parrot Day on May 31st, we at the Limbe Wildlife Centre (LWC) are reminded of the critical role we play in protecting the endangered African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus). The LWC is the first national rescue, rehabilitation, and release programme for the species in Cameroon, which can act as a model of best practice for others. This partnership for wildlife is a testament to the collaboration between Pandrillus Cameroon and Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) for the welfare of trafficked AGPs.

African grey parrots are incredibly intelligent. They are also extremely sensitive, social, can express emotion and have an extraordinary ability to learn and imitate human speech. And it is these characteristics that have resulted in the species being a hugely desired candidate for a pet around the world. Sadly, this makes the African grey parrot one of the most traded birds worldwide. Every year thousands of individuals, mostly adults, are captured and sold at such a high rate that it is causing huge declines in wild populations.

Since 2019, we have made significant progress in our African Grey Parrot rescue, rehabilitation, and soft-release program. Our state-of-the-art facilities and expert care have enables us to rehabilitate up to 300-400 individuals per year, giving them the best chance to be released back into the wild. Our team of local and international animal caretakers, wildlife specialists, and veterinarians work tirelessly to ensure that every parrot receives the highest quality care, including regular health checks and a diet rich in variety.

In March 2024, the LWC collected a large flock of parrots from the Mvog-Betsi Zoo. These parrots have begun their rehabilitation at the LWC, and we look forward to providing our supporters with updates on their progress.

Our soft-release methodology is a unique approach that allows us to gradually reintroduce the parrots into their natural habitat. This process includes providing them with food and shelter in a specially designed aviary within a specially designed release aviary, where they can adapt to their new surroundings before being released.

The conservation of the African Grey Parrot is crucial not only for the species itself but also for the ecosystem as a whole. By rehabilitating and releasing these birds, we are not only giving them a second chance at life but also helping to maintain the balance of their natural habitat.

On World Parrot Day, we would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the importance of community engagement and education. The LWC’s education team are dedicated to spreading awareness about the about the plight of the African Grey Parrot and encourage all to support our conservation initiatives.

At the LWC, we are committed to continuing our rehabilitation and soft-release program, as well as caring for parrots that are unable to be released. You can support our work by sponsoring a parrot or making a donation today.

As we celebrate World Parrot Day, we hope that you will join us in our mission to protect this magnificent species. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that the African Grey Parrot continues to thrive for generations to come.

We would like to say thank you to all our individual donors who make monthly contributions to support our work protecting African grey parrots. We would also like to thank our partners the World Parrot Trust, Parrot Wildlife Foundation, Boissière Mervent Conservation, ZGAP and Fondation Brigitte Bardot and wish you all a happy #WorldParrotDay!