In total, eight grey parrots hidden in a cardboard box and asphyxiated were intercepted on Monday, April 1st by the security services at the Kindu national airport.
According to Manda Sefu Moïse, interim coordinator of the Provincial Coordination of Environment and Sustainable Development, it was during a routine check that a suspicious cardboard box was discovered by security agents. Upon opening it, they found eight grey parrots, already dead from asphyxiation. He deplored the terrible conditions in which these birds were transported.
According to Mr. Manda, a civilian agent of the FARDC, by the name of Witanene Salumu Marguerite, facilitated this clandestine evacuation of the parrots. She has been identified and arrested pending further investigation.
The Congo grey parrot is a species threatened with extinction. Its natural habitat is being destroyed by deforestation, and it falls victim to illegal captures for the international pet trade. Trafficking in it is a lucrative but illegal activity in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is one of the protected animal species in the country.
Cathy Ibandula