A national decree in the Democratic Republic of Congo has granted full legal protection of African gray parrots, marking one of Africa’s most significant wildlife conservation victories.
On August 13, 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo officially banned the capture, trade, and possession of African gray parrots nationwide.
This landmark decision brings complete protection of African Gray parrots, aiming to end years of exploitation through the international pet trade.
African gray parrots are highly prized in the exotic pet market for their intelligence and extraordinary ability to mimic human speech.
Their cognitive skills make them favorites among collectors and pet owners worldwide, pushing demand and black-market prices to extreme levels.
A single wild-caught parrot can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars, fueling efforts toward stronger protection of African gray parrots.
The new decree makes it a criminal offense to capture, kill, sell, or transport these endangered birds anywhere within DR Congo, closing the loopholes traffickers had exploited since partial protections were introduced in 2006. »