African grey parrots
Three suspected traffickers have been arrested in Bertoua for the illegal possession and trafficking of African grey parrots. The traffickers that included a Ghanaian national were arrested during a crackdown operation conducted by wildlife officials of the East Regional Delegation of Forestry and Wildlife with technical assistance from a wildlife enforcement body known as the Last Great Ape Organisation – LAGA
The suspects were found with 60 African grey parrots which they carried in the boot of a black Prado government service car belonging to a Divisional Officer. The arrests took place as they attempted to sell the parrots.
Among the arrested traffickers is the brother of the DO whose car was used in transporting the parrots The car was used to provide impunity and conceal the birds as they transported them from Messok in the Upper Nyong Divisional to the East Regional Capital – Bertoua. Those close to the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity say, this was a modus operando they used to cover the trafficking in wildlife products. The parrots were captured and quarantined in a small village about 25 km away from Messok according to a same sources.
The three belong to a wildlife criminal ring with each having a specified role in the illegal trafficking of the African grey parrots. One of the traffickers, the Ghanaian, with links to big time parrot traffickers, was in charge of capturing and feeding the parrots in captivity while the others, helped in the feeding, transportation and searching of buyers.
The African grey parrot or grey parrot is predominately grey and black-billed. The head and wing are generally darker than the body and the head and wing feathers are slightly white at the edge. It also has a red feather tail. The bird is native to Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, the Congo, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenyan and Uganda and widely regarded as one the most intelligent birds in the world. It has the ability to talk human language and mimic sounds.
In 2016, the African grey parrot was up listed to Appendix 1 under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) benefiting from the highest level of protection which prohibits any form of trade in the species. Therefore, according to the 2024 wildlife law, the three are liable to an imprisonment terms of up to 20 years and or pay a fine of up to 50 million FCFA if found guilty.