“Challenges to the survival of the African Grey Parrot.”

We are pleased to inform you about the scientific expedition project to the Democratic Republic of Congo in which the Psittacus Foundation is involved. This project is the result of the collaboration between researchers from the Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), the Psittacus Foundation and the Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles (CRNS-LWIRO). The aim is to obtain detailed information on the current status of African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus) populations in the most remote rainforest areas of the country.

Pedro Romero Vidal y José Luis Tella, CSIC researchers at the Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC), together with Luis Flores, veterinarian and researcher at the Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles (CRNS-LWIRO), are leading this five-week expedition. The project is funded by the Psittacus Foundation and supported by the Pablo de Olavide University’s own cooperation plan, led by Martina Carrete.

The main objective of this expedition will be to assess the status of African Grey Parrot populations in some of the less explored forests of Central Africa. This species is listed as ‘Endangered’ by the IUCN. During the expedition, researchers will conduct surveys in Lomami and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks, as well as exploring areas adjacent to the species’ range in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. This information will be crucial to understanding the extent of the main threats facing the species: capture for the illegal trade, habitat loss due to deforestation and hunting. In addition, the extent and impact of deforestation due to logging for the timber trade and for consumption as a domestic energy source will be studied.

The expedition is also expected to provide valuable information on the species present in the region, many of which are still poorly known. This knowledge will contribute to a better understanding of the local ecosystems and the threats they face.

Once the expedition is over, we will share the main developments and key findings through our YouTube channel and social media channels. We will disseminate the main conclusions and findings of the expedition. This information will be valuable in understanding the actual conservation status of the African Grey Parrot and other species in the region, and in laying the groundwork for future conservation initiatives based on the knowledge gained during the project.

At the Psittacus Foundation, we believe that scientific research is essential to developing effective conservation strategies. This project is an important step in our commitment to the protection of biodiversity and the in-depth study of species that, like the African Grey Parrot, are facing serious threats.