Highlighting threats faced by parakeets on world parrot day

On World Parrot Day, celebrated annually on May 31st, conservationists are drawing attention to the plight of parakeets in India and the efforts being undertaken to protect these vibrant avian species from the perils of illegal wildlife trade.

While the terms 'parakeets' and 'parrots' are often used interchangeably, it is crucial to understand the distinction. Parrots encompass a larger group of nearly 400 bird species, including lovebirds, cockatoos, macaws, lorikeets, conures, and parakeets.

India is home to 11 native parakeet species, with the Alexandrine parakeets, Rose-ringed parakeets, and Plum-headed parakeets being the most commonly targeted by the illegal wildlife trade. "Chicks, 3-4 weeks old, are taken away from their natural habitats and confined in cages. The trafficking of these animals is flourishing due to their demand as pets," explained Raj Bhavsar, Project Coordinator at Wildlife SOS and President, GSPCA.

Wildlife SOS, a prominent conservation organization, has been actively involved in combating the illegal trade of these precious birds. They work closely with enforcement authorities to conduct wildlife raids in cities like Delhi and Vadodara. "In one of the biggest raids in recent history against illegal bird trade, over 1,700 native birds were found crammed in suffocating cages in Kabutar (Pigeon) Market near Jama Masjid, Delhi. Of the Alexandrine, Rose-ringed and Plum-headed parakeets that were seized, nearly 500 of them were chicks," said Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS.

In one of their recent operations, the Wildlife SOS-GSPCA team in Gujarat assisted the state Forest Department in seizing 14 Rose-ringed parakeets from Nagarwada in Vadodara.

Kartick Satyanarayan further added, "In such cases, depending on the requirement, our team provides adequate hydration, food, and shelter to the birds. In time, once their health recovers, they are handed over to the respective forest departments for release in the wild."

As World Parrot Day aims to raise awareness about the threats faced by these vibrant avian species, organizations like Wildlife SOS continue their efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade and ensure the survival of India's native parakeet populations.