94 African Grey Parrots Rescued from Illegal Wildlife Trade in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In one of the most significant wildlife rescue operations of 2025, 94 African grey parrots were seized from illegal traders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and brought to safety by IFAW and local partners. The rescue highlights both the scale of the illegal wildlife trade and the growing effectiveness of international efforts to combat it.

African grey parrots are among the most trafficked birds in the world. Prized for their remarkable intelligence and ability to mimic human speech, they are captured from wild populations across Central and West Africa and smuggled into the international pet trade. The species has suffered dramatic population declines — some estimates suggest a 90 percent reduction in certain regions — leading to their classification as endangered.

“The rescue highlights both the scale of the illegal wildlife trade and the growing effectiveness of international efforts to combat it.”

The rescued parrots had survived horrific conditions. Crammed into small containers with inadequate food and water, many were dehydrated and stressed. Wildlife trafficking is notoriously cruel, with mortality rates during transport often exceeding 50 percent. The fact that 94 birds were recovered alive represents both a tragedy — many more likely perished — and a triumph of enforcement.

Following their rescue, the parrots were transferred to a specialized rehabilitation facility where veterinary teams provided urgent medical care, proper nutrition, and the calm environment needed for recovery. The rehabilitation process for trafficked parrots can take months, as the birds must recover not only physically but also psychologically from their traumatic experience.

The operation was made possible by improved intelligence-sharing between conservation organizations and law enforcement agencies. Wildlife trafficking is estimated to be worth $23 billion annually worldwide, making it one of the largest criminal enterprises on the planet. Disrupting these networks requires coordinated action across borders.

This rescue also underscores the importance of addressing both supply and demand in the wildlife trade. While enforcement operations save individual animals, long-term solutions require reducing consumer demand and providing alternative livelihoods for communities where poaching occurs. The 94 parrots saved in this operation represent hope — both for the species and for the broader fight against wildlife crime.