In a First for Congo, LPRC Releases Captured Parrots Back to Nature

Supplements Declining Population of Endangered Grey Parrots

Lwiro Primates Rehabilitation Center is best known for its work caring for orphaned chimpanzees in the Democratic Republic of Congo. But LPRC takes in all types of wildlife, not just primates. LPRC has rehabilitated more than 100 endangered African grey parrots and successfully returned them to their rightful place in nature.

Parrot release in KBNP, showing soft release cage and feeding platforms.

Grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) are an endangered species. Unfortunately, they are popular as exotic pets because they can mimic human speech. They are often captured in the wild and sold illegally. Sadly, an estimated 30-66% of grey parrots captured for the pet trade die before reaching the international market.

When people capture grey parrots for the pet trade, they generally cut the wing feathers to prevent the birds from flying.  The birds’ muscles become weak from lack of flying—their form of exercise.

Congo’s laws against capturing endangered species are enforced by DRC’s environmental agency, the ICCN. In 2021, ICCN confiscated 83 grey parrots that had been illegally captured, and brought them to LPRC for care. With financial support from the World Parrot Trust, LPRC constructed enclosures specifically designed for the parrots and began nursing them back to health.

The parrots were in poor condition when they were rescued, with their wing feathers cut to prevent them from flying. Many of the birds had infections or parasites. LPRC provided the high-quality veterinary care they needed. Over several months, the parrots regained their health and rebuilt their strength in preparation for release back to the wild.

Parrot enclosures being built at LPRC, 2021.

LPRC is adjacent to Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP), a vast area patrolled by rangers to guard against hunting and trapping of protected species. At 6,000 square kilometers, KBNP is twice the size of the state of Rhode Island.

After several months of care, 39 parrots were healthy enough to be released. The birds were brought to the release site within KBNP. They were given time to acclimate to the surroundings. The cage doors were then removed to allow the parrots to come and go at will. LPRC constructed feeding platforms at the release site and provided supplemental food for one month after release. (LPRC purchased all of the food, a variety of fruit native to the area, from local farmers.)  By the end of the month, few parrots were returning to the feeding platforms, an indication the birds had successfully re-adapted to life in the wild. 

ICCN continues to bring the parrots that it confiscates from the illegal pet trade to LPRC. LPRC released 68 additional birds into KBNP in 2022. These were the first two grey parrot releases ever done in DRC. 

LPRC has nursed more parrots back to health, and they will soon be ready for release back to their natural habitat. 

The grey parrot is one of the most popular bird pets in the world. Data cited by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) suggest that about 21% of the wild population is harvested annually. Population declines have been noted across Africa, including in DRC. Therefore, IUCN recommends both reintroduction and population supplementation efforts.

LPRC’s rehabilitation and release efforts supplement the existing population and accomplish one of IUCN’s recommended conservation actions.