By Abdullahi Lukman
As the world celebrates World Parrot Day today, conservation organisations Wild Africa and the World Parrot Trust have renewed calls for stronger protection of parrots in Nigeria, especially the endangered African grey parrot, which continues to face serious threats from illegal trade and habitat loss.
Although parrots are protected by both national and international laws, weak enforcement and persistent demand for exotic pets have left these birds vulnerable.
Over 1.2 million wild grey parrots have entered the international pet trade in the last four decades.
With mortality rates during capture and transport reaching as high as 60 percent, experts estimate the true number taken from the wild could be nearly three million.
In recent months, Nigeria has taken some notable steps to combat this crisis. In March 2025, the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted more than 300 parrot heads, sparking widespread condemnation.
In April, Special Wildlife Officers rescued 12 live African grey parrots from a bus traveling between Kaduna and Lagos.
In early May, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency and the National Park Service arrested three suspected traffickers in Abuja with live parrots in their possession.
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The rescued birds are currently being rehabilitated at Pandrillus Nigeria Drill Ranch.
Dr. Mark Ofua, West Africa spokesperson for Wild Africa, described parrots as intelligent, ecologically vital species whose decline reflects wider ecosystem damage.
He urged the public and authorities to recognize their value not only for their beauty and mimicry, but for the role they play in forest regeneration and biodiversity.
The World Parrot Trust, which operates conservation programmes in Nigeria, also called for increased public education, stronger law enforcement, and urgent action to protect critical habitats.
Nigeria Country Coordinator, Ifeanyi Ezenwa, noted that while government agencies have made progress in recent months, public awareness remains low.
He stressed the need for long-term strategies to address both the supply and demand sides of the illegal trade.
Although Nigeria’s Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill has passed its second reading in the National Assembly, both organisations are urging lawmakers to expedite its final passage to give legal backing to ongoing enforcement efforts.
Wild Africa and the World Parrot Trust continue to raise awareness through media campaigns across radio, TV, newspapers, and billboards.
They call on governments, businesses, and individuals to take meaningful action to protect Nigeria’s remaining parrot populations before it is too late.
