Monthly Report
November 19
Foreword
Dear Friends and Supporters, Last month saw our immense pride in completing the construction of the first African grey parrot rehabilitation aviary in Cameroon. This month the focus again was on this magnificent endangered bird, unfortunately not with such a positive note. In the past few months, the Limbe Wildlife Centre has been at the forefront of the conservation efforts to secure the survival of the African grey parrots, one of the most endangered and emblematic species of the Central African region.
small and dirty wooden boxes in which they could barely stand and move around. They arrived at the LWC in a state of distress resulting from starvation and dehydration, as well as their severe, prolonged overcrowding. The rescued birds arrived in terrible condition and required a great deal of specialist care. The feathers were cut by the poachers, preventing them from flying. It is essential for the parrots that these feathers grow back. Each bird then faces the challenge of learning to fly again before they can be released, healthy and in a safe place (p. 1417). This confiscation underlines the unfortunate truth that despite further international and national regulations, poachers and traffickers continue to trade the species and to feed illegal pet markets. Despite increasing conservation and educational effort by the LWC, African grey parrots are not safe and their populations still highly threatened.
The survival of the African grey parrots, like other endangered species, is threatened by the rapid destruction of forest habitats, poaching and illegal trafficking. The illegality of such activities is unfortunately insufficient to deter criminals. It is critical that the law is effectively enforced, and that wildlife crime is deterred and combatted. Nevertheless, I would like to congratulate the Rapid Intervention Battalion (Bataillon On 3 December, the Limbe Wildlife Centre d’Intervention Rapide, BIR) for their (LWC) rescued 84 endangered African grey intervention and saving these amazing birds. parrots. The birds, along with a large bag However, the amount of pangolin scales filled with over 100 kilograms of pangolin confiscated is alarming and a disaster for the scales, were seized by military forces (BIR) in species. As is becoming increasingly Bakassi where they were being shipped to apparent, pangolins are the most threatened Nigeria. The parrots were crammed into two mammals in the world. Protecting wildlife is
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