Why do many African gray parrots die during capture or transport for the pet trade?

The high mortality rate of African gray parrots during capture and transport for the pet trade is primarily attributed to the severe mistreatment they endure throughout the process. Many birds do not survive the journey from their natural habitats to the safety of a cage due to the harsh conditions imposed during transit.1

Data from a 2003 United Nations Environment Programme study highlights the scale of this issue, estimating that while nearly 660,000 African gray parrots were sold on the international market between 1982 and 2001, more than 300,000 additional birds likely perished during capture or transport.2

It is a fundamental ethical imperative to protect wildlife from such exploitation. The significant loss of life associated with the wild-bird trade has led to international conservation efforts, including bans on the importation of wild-caught specimens in the United States and the European Union, aimed at curbing the depletion of wild populations.2