Swamp Stomp

Volume 18 Issue 26

“Endangered species” probably brings to mind an animal or plant that is not often seen. Perhaps the giant panda comes to mind or the whooping crane or something else that lives far away. However, some endangered species are closer than you might think. Many species of parrots, for instance, are seen often in pet stores. Yet, they have become increasingly endangered in recent decades. The illegal parrot trade has brought about the near extinction of many of the 350 species of parrots and will continue to do so if not somehow stopped.

In the United States, around 99 percent of parrots in pet stores are captive bred. Because parrots are now considered an endangered species, this is desirable in order to reduce the number of parrots that are removed from the wild. However, Donald Brightsmith, a zoologist at Texas A&M University, says, “if you’re in Peru, Costa Rica, or Mexico, the chances of it being wild caught are 99 percent,” when buying a parrot. Moreover, in order to prevent further population destruction of these parrots, a way needs to be determined to distinguish captive-bred parrots from wild bred parrots.

Now, captive bred parrot chicks are given a metal band that rests around one of their legs for their entire life. However, illegal parrot traders have been able to make their own metal bands for wild-caught parrots in order for them to appear captive bred. In South Africa, geneticists have come up with a possible solution to this problem. At the University of KwaZulu, a gene profiling method is being developed that will allow breeders, pet buyers, or airport inspectors to determine if the parrot is captive bred by using distinct genetic profiles. Additionally, a method using chemical isotopes is being developed to determine the parrot’s diet, which points to where the parrot originated.

Although the rampant illegal parrot trade may make parrots’ futures seem grim, there have been recent improvements. For instance, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have publicly stated that they will no longer import wild-caught African gray parrots, a species of parrot that has faced increasing danger. Additionally, the Puerto Rican parrot population, which consisted of 13 parrots in the 1970s, now consists of several hundred due to the efforts of biologists. Hopefully, as long as these efforts continue, the parrot populations may be able to avoid reaching extinction.

Source:

Dell’Amore, Christine. “Have Parrots Become Too Popular for their Own Good?” National Geographic. National Geographic. June 2018. Web. June 14, 2018.