Fly Free!

Press Release: Parrot Charity Rushes to Send Emergency Aid for Largest Group of Confiscated Parrots

Hayle, Cornwall, United Kingdom
February 8, 2010

The World Parrot Trust (WPT) has sent emergency funds to aid in the treatment and
housing of the largest group of illegally trapped Grey Parrots ever seized in the
country of Cameroon. The seizure, which occurred in early February, is the third such
confiscation of this species in the country since December 2007. The aid is being
directed to Limbe Wildlife Centre (LWC) and the Last Great Ape Organization (LAGA),
two independent African wildlife rescue groups working with government officials to
coordinate the seizures and subsequent care of the birds - in an attempt to reduce
the trade in this species. This aid follows closely on the heels of emergency funding
sent by the WPT in response to a smaller seizure of 300 birds in November of 2009.

Funds needed immediately; wildlife center inundated

The parrots were delivered to the Limbe Wildlife Center shortly after the confiscation,
which was spearheaded by the Last Great Ape Organization. The shipment, which
was scheduled to leave for Kuwait and Bahrain International Airports, respectively,
was without proper documentation from international authorities. Upon arrival at
Limbe it was discovered that 47 of the birds were already dead, with another 30
dying of thirst and stress on the first day. Simone de Vries, manager of Limbe, stated
"It makes you sick to see how the parrots are packed in the boxes, the weaker ones
trampled by the strongest." The center has been inundated with the sudden
appearance of the Greys, still having to deal with the remaining birds of the shipment
from November of last year. The current group of parrots is being kept in ape
quarantine enclosures, as there is nowhere else to house them.

Parrot populations declining

The Grey Parrot is listed as near threatened by the 2009 IUCN Red List, as evaluated
by Bird Life International. Their threatened status is due to the persistent heavy
trapping of these parrots for the wild bird trade. Illegal trapping continues in
Cameroon, in spite of measures being taken by local and international communities.

International groups working together to end trade

The World Parrot Trust and its international partners have recently launched the
FlyFree program (www.parrots.org/flyfree), the first international campaign aimed
specifically at providing support to front-line wildlife rescue groups working to end the
wild-caught bird trade and return parrots to the wild, in more than a dozen locations
worldwide.

Download press release (PDF) »

Field Update: African Grey Parrots, the Illegal Trade Continues

Another 1,000 Grey parrots were seized at the Douala Airport and brought to the Limbe Wildlife Centre in Cameroon.

This is the largest group of parrots ever confiscated in Cameroon, building upon the 503 already confiscated at the same location over November and December of 2009, most of which are still being rehabilitated.

The WPT has sent emergency funding to the Limbe Wildlife Centre. Any additional donations would be greatly appreciated.

Select either button to donate directly to the Save the Greys Fund

Click here to read more »

Wall of Tribute

With so many donations being made to honour those who have special meaning in our lives, including family, friends and the special feathered companions we have shared our lives with, we thought it only fitting to create a Wall of Tribute to showcase them.

Visit the Wall of Tribute »

On behalf of our feathered friends still flying free, we thank you!

With Your Help, We Did It!

Dear Friends,

It is my delight to announce that as of yesterday -- Monday January 4, 2010 -- we met our first goal of raising $25,000 to help stop the trade in wild caught birds and to return parrots to wild.

Please accept our heartfelt gratitude for your efforts to help the WPT to reach its goal.

Your support makes it happen!

We appreciate this outpouring of assistance and are already working with our field partners to make an immediate difference. Please watch the FlyFree website for exciting updates coming soon to see your contributions at work.

But it is not over -- the wild parrots of the world still need your help.

If you've already made a donation -- thank you again! If you have not yet had the opportunity to contribute, please consider sending a small gift today:

http://www.parrots.org/donatenow

And remember, any donations made by Jan. 31 will be DOUBLED!

Once again, thank you so much for your ongoing support.

Warmest regards,

Jamie Gilardi
Director, World Parrot Trust

P.S. Remember, 100% of funds raised will be used to return parrots to the wild and help put an end to the wild caught bird trade, forever.

Thank You! We are almost there!

Thanks to the outstanding support of WPT supporters worldwide, the FlyFree campaign has now reached 80% of its fund-raising goal of USD $25,000 -- a remarkable achievement for which we can all be proud.

If you have donated already, please accept our hearty thanks, your support is crucial for making this work possible.

If you are still thinking about contributing, please follow this link to donate today.

And remember, any funds that you donate before January 31st, 2010 will be doubled, thanks to an anonymous donor who has agreed to match any new donations that we receive. Your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar, so your gift of $5 becomes $10, $25 becomes $50, and so on (to a total of USD $10,000.)

Please help us stop the wild bird trade and return parrots to the wild through the FlyFree campaign. You'll be glad you did and its a great way to start off the New Year!