Johannesburg - African Grey parrots have ruffled a few feathers at COP17 with a proposal put to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) asking it to upgrade them from Appendix II to Appendix I.
When they fly over West African forests, their charcoal wings precede a bright crimson tail. The countries buffering the natural habitat of Psittacus erithacus, headed by Gabon, are calling for the highest protection for the endangered birds.
But not all bird lovers of a feather flock together.
Ben Minnaar of the Parrot Breeders Association of Southern Africa said the application was short-sighted and once the birds were uplisted to Appendix I, it would affect the livelihood of many who bred them for a living and would increase the demand for illegal trade.
South Africa was one of the biggest breeders and exporters of the African Grey and if taken away there would be a hole in the market that illegal traders would fill.
It would have the opposite effect and birds would be culled.
They were protected as Appendix II and could be captive-bred with the necessary Cites permits. As Appendix I, trade in them would be banned but the demand would remain, said Minnaar.
“There are about 22 000 people in South Africa who rely on income brought from breeding the parrots.
“The Asian market pays about $300 (R4 100) per bird for use as pets.”
He said the African Grey was highly sought after in the East where the buyers preferred a stress-free, captive-bred bird rather than a stressed wild parrot caught by hunters in West Africa. He said hunters caught the birds for food and muti.
Gabon initiated the application and seven African countries have sponsored the proposal, with nine more indicating their support.
Minnaar said that when the proposal came before committee this week, South Africa would not be supporting it.
The proposal said that “given the irregularities and ongoing reported declines caused by trapping, a suspension of further trade from wild sources appears to be in the conservation interest of the species”.
Other NGOs backing the proposal are the International Fund for Animal Welfare, The Wildlife Conservation Society, BirdLife International and the Humane Society.
The African grey parrot is considered to be the third most traded bird which is sourced from the wild.
Exports of more than 1.3 million have been reported since 1975.
“The big decline was 25 years – it is a historical fact. And now there is no legal harvesting, only illegal capture. We also want the range states to begin breeding them – we are prepared to help them with transfer of skills, facilities and housing.
“They can make a much better living, instead of catching them they can breed them,” said Minnaar.