Conservationists have expressed concerns over commercial parrot breeding, fearing it could harm wild populations instead of helping them. These issues were raised during a public lecture in Kampala organized by NatureUganda and World Animal Protection, attended by over 100 conservation and animal welfare advocates.
Edith Kabesiime, Wildlife Campaign Manager at World Animal Protection, warned that commercial parrot farming could worsen conservation challenges. She highlighted that, beyond animal welfare and public health risks, it could damage ecosystems and accelerate species decline.
This comes in light of a recent study in Conservation Biology that assessed the impact of parrot farming on 16 threatened species. While captive breeding might reduce the demand for wild-caught parrots, it often increases the demand for rarer species and encourages illegal trade.
Dr. Rowan Martin, senior author of the study and Director of Bird Trade Programmes at the World Parrot Trust, cautioned that large-scale parrot farming could normalize the trade and further endanger species. The lecture emphasized the need for evidence-based policies to protect species like the African Grey Parrot.
Achilles Byaruhanga, executive director of NatureUganda, called for policies prioritizing biodiversity preservation over profits, stating that protecting Uganda’s parrots is crucial for safeguarding biodiversity. The event ended with a call to reconsider parrot farming as a conservation strategy and focus on alternative measures to protect these iconic birds.
