African Grey parrots get new protections in Democratic Republic of Congo

(London, UK - 21 August 2025) - African Grey parrots, one of the world’s most threatened parrot species, are now fully protected by law in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – one of main countries it is native to.

These intelligent and sociable parrots that are able to mimic human speech have been driven to the brink of extinction, primarily due to demand in the exotic pet trade.

This landmark ruling now means that it will be a criminal offense to capture, possess, kill sell, and transport the species.

This legislation is a step forward to ensure implementation and enforcement of the CITES decisions and recommendations for this species.

The move follows persistent advocacy by dedicated conservation NGOs that campaigned tirelessly to secure stronger protections for the bird.

This move was welcomed by conservationists from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

“This legislation sends a clear signal to wildlife traffickers that trading these parrots will not be tolerated – whether done online or in person. While this is a positive step, we know that traffickers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and finding new ways to conceal their activities. This is something we are already seeing through our wildlife cybercrime work, so we must remain vigilant," said Christian Plowman, Wildlife Cybercrime Program Manager, IFAW.

“A holistic approach is the only solution. Online platforms must step up to prevent the trade happening on their sites, and buyers and would-be buyers of these animals need to understand the untold damage and suffering that is caused by their demand.”

This represents a critical step forward for parrot conservation and marks a significant victory for global efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade.

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Notes:

The Ministry of the Environment signed ministerial decree 956 on 31 July 2025, providing complete protection to the African grey Parrot in DRC. This did not previously exist.