500K+
Parrots taken from the wild and illegally trafficked every year
75 - 80%
Estimated mortality rate — most birds die before reaching a buyer
4,000+
Species of animals and plants affected across 160+ countries
THE CRISIS
Wild Parrots Pay the Price
The illegal wildlife trade is a multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise that spans the globe. From rhinos to orchids, no species is exempt from slaughter, harvest, and illegal trade. For parrots, the devastation is both individual and ecological.
Birds are subjected to brutal capture methods, nest trees felled to reach chicks and eggs, and then crammed into makeshift containers for grueling overland and overseas journeys. The vast majority never survive long enough to be sold.
According to BirdLife International, in the Americas the sale of wild-caught parrots persists in open defiance of CITES and national law. A study in Santa Cruz, Bolivia found over 22,000 individuals of 31 parrot species traded illegally each year — 94% wild-caught.
Documented Cases
The Trade Never Stops
Wildlife trafficking overall has not been significantly reduced in two decades. Below are confirmed incidents from 2024 alone, and these are only what was caught.
APR 2024
Nigerian Seizure — 36 Birds
Nigerian authorities intercepted 36 illegally held African Grey parrots, one of the most trafficked species globally.
MAY 2024
113 Parrots Drowned by Smugglers
During a U.S. Coast Guard interception, smugglers threw cages overboard. All 113 parrots perished.
ONGOING
12,000 Grey Parrots — Congo
30–40 illegal shipments pass through Kinshasa annually. At least 12,000 Grey parrots moved through N'djili International Airport in the past year.
JUN 2024
60 Parrots Repatriated to Indonesia
Sixty illegally trafficked parrots were successfully transported back to their native Indonesia following law enforcement action.
NOV 2024
6,500+ Birds Seized — Indonesia
One of the largest single seizures of the year: more than 6,500 illegally trafficked birds, including endangered songbirds, confiscated.
JUL 2025
11 indicted for smuggling over 4,500 parrot eggs to China
Prosecutors in the Matsu Islands (Lienchiang County) said yesterday they have indicted 11 individuals in connection with the alleged smuggling of more than 4,500 fertilized eggs of parrots to China.
ONGOING
65,000–78,500 Parrots Trapped — Mexico
Trappers capture this many parrots annually in Mexico alone, the majority destined for the black market.
OUR RESPONSE
RSCF is Fighting Back
Rescue & Recovery Operations
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RSCF works directly with regulatory agencies and law enforcement to assist in the recovery and rescue of smuggled chicks and eggs — providing immediate expert care for animals seized from criminal networks.
International Consultation
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We consult with international governments and NGOs to expose criminal organizations involved in illegal wildlife trade, providing technical expertise that strengthens enforcement capacity across borders.
Captive Care for Confiscated Animals
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Animals rescued from trafficking operations require specialized care. RSCF's captive breeding center provides refuge and expert rehabilitation for confiscated wildlife with no immediate, viable path to the wild.
