Mexican Parrots Get A Boost

A bill that bans the capture and export of Mexican wild parrots has recently become law, giving conservationists hope that threatened Mexican parrot populations will recover from years of illegal trade. In 2007, Defenders of Wildlife and Teyeliz, A.C presented a report entitled “The Illegal Parrot Trade in Mexico: a comprehensive assessment”. The report showed that an estimated 65,000 to 78,500 wild parrots and macaws are captured illegally each year, with more than 75% of the birds dying before reaching a purchaser. These sobering statistics helped the Mexican Senate to pass the new bill unanimously.