Our African Grey Project At Our Sister Sanctuary Birds Of Eden

Facts:

• Was listed on Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) an international agreement between governments. It aims to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants specimens does not threaten their survival). Appendix II imposed conditions on exporters to prevent unsustainable trade.

• October 2, 2016, African Grey Parrots uplisted to Appendix I of CITES following the voting of delegates by secret ballot. South Africa voted against this up-listing to CITES I.
• CITES I mean no international trade except if not for commercial purposes. Trade cannot take place in wild specimens and international trade can only take place of captive-bred species if breeders are registered with CITES Secretariat.
• One of the world’s most trafficked birds, world’s most trafficked parrot
• In some areas of DRC, numbers dropped to below 1% of the population, Ghana population decline of 90%
• Congo and DRC still smugglers of wild-caught birds – supplement the pet trade and as breeder birds for the pet trade
• Virtually extinct in Guinea, Rwanda, Burundi
• SA has the largest African Grey parrot breeding industry in the world
• 8 of 10 African Greys traded globally are bred in SA
• Of the 1630 countrywide parrot breeders under the SA Parrot Breeders Association (not just breeders of African Greys), 156 have registered to date with the CITES Secretariat as African Grey Breeders for export.
• Parrot Breeders Association says they produce 67 000 chicks a year, 183 chicks daily and there is a demand for 100 000 to be exported.
• 90% of chicks bred in SA gets exported, (10 % remains in SA – almost 7000 pumped into the local pet industry yearly?)
• Since 1998, SA has exported more captive-bred Greys annually than the rest of the world combined
• Wild-caught birds: at least 10% of birds die on planes, 24% die while being transported over a long distance or when caught as fledglings, and between 10% and 40% die in the hands of local buyers. What this reveals is that approximately 50% of the birds die before they even reach the market.
• Wild-caught birds (especially illegal birds) are cheaper than captive-bred birds, so a wild-caught bird is quicker and easier to sell.
• Many breeders prefer wild-caught birds because they commence breeding almost immediately, whereas captive-bred birds only reach breeding age after four years. To increase yield, breeders often hand-raise fledglings that had been hatched in incubators, thereby robbing the birds of essential life skills handed down by parents. The result is a tame parrot, suitably conditioned for pet purposes, but of little use as a breeder – further increasing demand for wild-caught birds as breeding stock.
• Experts say the grey parrot is so smart that it can perform cognitive tasks at the level of human toddlers, which is one of the properties that makes them so attractive as pets and their ability to mimic the human voice.
• The majority of pet parrots are kept alone in cages whereas in the wild they are social birds – hard-coded to seek the comfort and security of their peers, roosting in groups, and flying in large flocks.
• Many pet grey parrots end up unwanted, misunderstood and socially maladjusted – often given away to friends, relatives, or rescue centers, or back to breeders.
• A grey parrot lives for 40-60 years in captivity, which is something many prospective owners don’t fully comprehend.
• Weekly, sometimes twice weekly requests are received by Birds of Eden for taking in single, two, or even three African grey parrots at a time from owners looking to find a solution for their pets.
• The solution; building a very large landscaped enclosure dedicated specifically for African Grey Parrots, outside of the Birds of Eden Birds Sanctuary, where these ex-pat birds will enjoy the company of other Greys and have the ability to fly in a safe protected environment.
• This is where Birds of Eden need assistance from everyone with a heart and feel for these victims of the pet parrot industry, please support us in donating towards this cause. This project, must raise R600,000.00 to a) build an enclosure of 30m x 30m x 4,4m high, and b) to start a campaign to tackle the root cause, by lobbying, influencing legislation, and educating.
• The free-flight enclosure will be constructed of a multi-span metal structure (similar to a hot house shape with domes) to withstand chewing by the parrots a concrete perimeter foundation to secure metal upright posts, stop burrowing predators, and to secure welded mesh fencing and covered sheltered areas. . Also includes an introduction/adjustment cage for new arrivals.
• The birds will be under the care of Birds of Eden/South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA) for the remainder of their lives. This is not intended as a breeding project and birds will never be traded again.