Science Friday African Grey Parrots Are Popular—And It’s Fueling Illegal Trade
Nov 21, 2025
Rene Ebersole, Editor-in-chief at Wildlife Investigative Reporters and Editors (WIRE), dives into the illegal trade of African grey parrots, now internet sensations. She reveals how online fame drives up demand, leading to trafficking networks that threaten the species. Ebersole discusses the high prices for these birds, the poaching operations, and the dark trade routes reaching Asia and the Middle East. With insights into conservation status and smuggling tactics, she emphasizes the urgent need for better enforcement and the role of social media in this crisis.
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Internet Fame Drives Parrot Demand
- African grey parrots' online popularity has driven global demand and trafficking.
- Rene Ebersole explains TikTok fame fuels interest in owning these birds as pets.
Parrot Intelligence Matches Young Children
- African greys show cognitive abilities comparable to young children and great apes.
- Rene Ebersole cites decades of research demonstrating meaningful language use and self-awareness.
Where Trafficked Parrots End Up
- The market is global, with birds funneled mainly to the Middle East and Asia.
- Bans in the U.S. and Europe shifted legal and illegal exports toward those regions.
