Red tail parrots threatened with extinction

09augustus2006
Source: HLN.be
The African grey red tail parrot is threatened with extinction, according to the Nature Conservancy Germany (NABU). The cause is ...
the increasing wild bird trade.

The African grey red tail parrot is loved worldwide as a cage bird. 360.000 of them were traded legally between 1994 and 2003 according to the conservationists. The grey red tail is one the approximate 3.000 bird species that can be imported as a pet. The European Union is the main large scale importer of wild birds.

The nature conservancy calls the EU member states to prohibit the trade of wild birds which are threatened with extinction for a longer period of time. An embargo is still in place until the end of the year due to the danger of bird flu.