The rich diversity of rainforests makes them prime targets for the illegal wildlife trade. Despite international bans, trafficking of rare and threatened species remains a multi-billion-dollar industry. In the Brazilian Amazon alone, traffickers capture or kill at least 38 million animals every year.

“Wildlife trafficking is rarely an isolated crime; it is often part of organized networks that profit from environmental destruction,” said James Lewis, VP of Conservation for Rainforest Trust. ”Protected and conserved areas are one of the most effective ways to limit these activities while safeguarding biodiversity and supporting local communities.”

Last year, in a month-long operation, a global anti-poaching network recovered almost 30,000 live animals from traffickers intending to trade them on the black market. Twenty percent of these were wild birds, including Endangered Grey Parrots.

“African Greys,” as they are commonly called, are the world’s most popular bird pets. They are clever and form strong social bonds. They also have an uncanny ability to mimic human speech. Before an international ban in 2016, millions of Grey Parrots were poached for the illegal pet trade. Demand for wild birds has not declined, though, and these parrots are still heavily trafficked. Rampant deforestation adds to the risk, shrinking their remaining habitat.

“I had only seen them as pets.”

Across the Atlantic Ocean in South America, traffickers target Hyacinth Macaws. At three feet tall, head to tail, these are the world’s largest parrots. They live primarily in the Pantanal, a tropical wetland 20 times larger than the Everglades that spreads across parts of Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay—and is 90% unprotected.

Hyacinth Macaw caught on camera in Brazil’s Pantanal, courtesy of our partner, Onçafari

Striking plumage and a curious, social nature have made Hyacinth Macaws popular pets, but they are difficult to breed in captivity. Poachers steal live birds, hatchlings, and even eggs from wild nests in the Pantanal. This cruel capture further endangers the species’ survival, as a female will only lay 1-2 eggs per season.

Regulations and conservation are helping the Hyacinth Macaw launch a comeback, but expanded protection of their habitat will be essential. Last year, when our team visited a newly protected area in the Pantanal, Rainforest Trust Conservation Strategist Andrea Carniero was struck by the proliferation of wild parrots, including Hyacinth Macaws.

“It was amazing,” she said. “I had only ever seen them as pets.”

You can help save habitat for endangered species.

When you support our Conservation Action Fund, you help us move quickly to protect wildlife at greatest risk, including those targeted by illegal trafficking. Our partnerships save habitats, monitor species, and tackle poaching to give threatened wildlife the chance to thrive.

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