WIRE: Wildlife Investigative Reporters & Editors
@wire-wildlife.bsky.social
Rigorous, independent investigative journalism for the good of wildlife and society. 🌎📸 Read our first investigation “The Parrot Cartel” here: https://wireonline.org/reporting/the-parrot-cartel
South Africa remains the world’s largest exporter of captive-bred grey parrots, but wildlife investigators suspect that wild-caught birds are being laundered through legal channels. Read the full story at the 🔗in bio and at wireonline.org. 🎥 by Carissa Henderson
December 5, 2025 at 7:26 PM
South Africa remains the world’s largest exporter of captive-bred grey parrots, but wildlife investigators suspect that wild-caught birds are being laundered through legal channels. Read the full story at the 🔗in bio and at wireonline.org. 🎥 by Carissa Henderson
African grey parrots rescued from traffickers are loaded into a van for transport to a bird rehabilitation center in Dingi, Democratic Republic of Congo. Read the full story at the 🔗 in bio and at wireonline.org. 📸 by Karine Aigner #TheParrotCartel
December 4, 2025 at 5:23 PM
African grey parrots rescued from traffickers are loaded into a van for transport to a bird rehabilitation center in Dingi, Democratic Republic of Congo. Read the full story at the 🔗 in bio and at wireonline.org. 📸 by Karine Aigner #TheParrotCartel
Many parrots come from commercial farms with rows of hundreds of caged breeding pairs producing chicks that are sold and shipped often thousands of miles in cramped wooden boxes. Read the full story at the 🔗 in bio and at wireonline.org. 🎥 by Carissa Henderson #TheParrotCartel
December 3, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Many parrots come from commercial farms with rows of hundreds of caged breeding pairs producing chicks that are sold and shipped often thousands of miles in cramped wooden boxes. Read the full story at the 🔗 in bio and at wireonline.org. 🎥 by Carissa Henderson #TheParrotCartel
Today is Giving Tuesday. If you believe the public deserves the truth about wildlife crime and environmental harm, please support WIRE’s investigative reporting. Your gift fuels independent journalism that investigates those exploiting wildlife and nature. Donate at the 🔗 in bio and below. 🧡
December 2, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Today is Giving Tuesday. If you believe the public deserves the truth about wildlife crime and environmental harm, please support WIRE’s investigative reporting. Your gift fuels independent journalism that investigates those exploiting wildlife and nature. Donate at the 🔗 in bio and below. 🧡
African grey parrots are the great apes of the bird world. They have a brain the size of a walnut, but the intelligence of young children. Read the full story at the 🔗 in bio and at wireonline.org. 🎥 by Carissa Henderson #TheParrotCartel
December 2, 2025 at 3:40 PM
African grey parrots are the great apes of the bird world. They have a brain the size of a walnut, but the intelligence of young children. Read the full story at the 🔗 in bio and at wireonline.org. 🎥 by Carissa Henderson #TheParrotCartel
An armed guard at a rehabilitation center in the Democratic Republic of Congo gently greets a tame African grey parrot rescued from traffickers. Read the full story at the 🔗 in bio and at wireonline.org. 📸 by Karine Aigner #TheParrotCartel
December 1, 2025 at 7:48 PM
An armed guard at a rehabilitation center in the Democratic Republic of Congo gently greets a tame African grey parrot rescued from traffickers. Read the full story at the 🔗 in bio and at wireonline.org. 📸 by Karine Aigner #TheParrotCartel
Reposted by WIRE: Wildlife Investigative Reporters & Editors
TikTok is obsessed with talking parrots. It’s fueling a global black market. Rolling Stone reports ⤵
TikTok Is Obsessed With Talking Parrots. It's Fueling a Global Black Market
bit.ly
November 30, 2025 at 7:00 AM
TikTok is obsessed with talking parrots. It’s fueling a global black market. Rolling Stone reports ⤵
African grey parrots seized from poachers stay at the parrot rehabilitation center for several months, regrowing the feathers cut by poachers and exercising in flight cages until they’re strong enough to fly free. #TheParrotCartel
November 30, 2025 at 2:10 PM
African grey parrots seized from poachers stay at the parrot rehabilitation center for several months, regrowing the feathers cut by poachers and exercising in flight cages until they’re strong enough to fly free. #TheParrotCartel
John and Terese Hart, who run a bird rehabilitation center in the Democratic Republic of Congo, invite dignitaries from around the country to come see rescued African grey parrots returning to the wild. Some even help set the birds free. #TheParrotCartel
November 28, 2025 at 11:28 PM
John and Terese Hart, who run a bird rehabilitation center in the Democratic Republic of Congo, invite dignitaries from around the country to come see rescued African grey parrots returning to the wild. Some even help set the birds free. #TheParrotCartel
African grey parrots rescued from the illegal pet trade recover from their ordeal at a rehab center in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Soon they’ll join the hundreds of birds that have returned to the wild from this center. #TheParrotCartel
November 27, 2025 at 1:58 PM
African grey parrots rescued from the illegal pet trade recover from their ordeal at a rehab center in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Soon they’ll join the hundreds of birds that have returned to the wild from this center. #TheParrotCartel
Workers at a parrot rehabilitation center in the Democratic Republic of Congo feed the birds a diverse diet of papaya, pineapple, corn, peanuts, sugarcane, and palm nuts. Most birds return to the wild, but a few tame ones have chosen to stay.
November 26, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Workers at a parrot rehabilitation center in the Democratic Republic of Congo feed the birds a diverse diet of papaya, pineapple, corn, peanuts, sugarcane, and palm nuts. Most birds return to the wild, but a few tame ones have chosen to stay.
An African grey parrot seized from poachers is gently netted in a temporary holding cage before being transferred to a wooden crate, joining more than a dozen other seized parrots. Read the full story at the 🔗 in bio and at wireonline.org. 📸 by Karine Aigner
November 25, 2025 at 7:34 PM
An African grey parrot seized from poachers is gently netted in a temporary holding cage before being transferred to a wooden crate, joining more than a dozen other seized parrots. Read the full story at the 🔗 in bio and at wireonline.org. 📸 by Karine Aigner
@rollingstone.com Reports: TikTok's Talking Parrot Obsession Is Fueling a Global Black Market | 🎥🎬 WATCH THE FILM HERE ⬇️ m.youtube.com/watch?v=460m...
RS Reports: TikTok's Talking Parrot Obsession Is Fueling a Global Black Market
YouTube video by Rolling Stone
m.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:37 PM
@rollingstone.com Reports: TikTok's Talking Parrot Obsession Is Fueling a Global Black Market | 🎥🎬 WATCH THE FILM HERE ⬇️ m.youtube.com/watch?v=460m...
Seized from poachers, three African grey parrots arrive at a rescue center in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a grueling journey. Placed in clean cages with sugar water, fruit, and corn, the birds begin a months-long recovery.
November 24, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Seized from poachers, three African grey parrots arrive at a rescue center in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a grueling journey. Placed in clean cages with sugar water, fruit, and corn, the birds begin a months-long recovery.
Middlemen like Theo Tshipamba in the Democratic Republic of Congo buy poached African grey parrots for about $10 each. Although the country recently banned the capture and trade of African greys, smuggling continues underground, allowing traders to make significant profits.
November 23, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Middlemen like Theo Tshipamba in the Democratic Republic of Congo buy poached African grey parrots for about $10 each. Although the country recently banned the capture and trade of African greys, smuggling continues underground, allowing traders to make significant profits.
At a rescue center in the Democratic Republic of Congo, biologist John Hart documents an African grey parrot rescued from traffickers. Its wing feathers have been crudely cut to prevent flight. Read the full story at the 🔗 in bio and at wireonline.org. 📸 by Karine Aigner @kaigner
November 23, 2025 at 7:40 AM
At a rescue center in the Democratic Republic of Congo, biologist John Hart documents an African grey parrot rescued from traffickers. Its wing feathers have been crudely cut to prevent flight. Read the full story at the 🔗 in bio and at wireonline.org. 📸 by Karine Aigner @kaigner
At a rescue center, a caretaker cleans cages and tends to confiscated birds—most destined to return to the wild once they recover from the trauma of being captured by poachers. Read the full story at the 🔗 in bio and at wireonline.org. 📸 by Karine Aigner
November 22, 2025 at 5:06 AM
At a rescue center, a caretaker cleans cages and tends to confiscated birds—most destined to return to the wild once they recover from the trauma of being captured by poachers. Read the full story at the 🔗 in bio and at wireonline.org. 📸 by Karine Aigner
Reposted by WIRE: Wildlife Investigative Reporters & Editors
They’re cute, they’re charismatic, they’re all over TikTok: @wire-wildlife.bsky.social Editor in Chief Rene Ebersole spent over a year investigating how internet fame has intensified the illegal trade of African grey parrots.
African Grey Parrots Are Popular—And It’s Fueling Illegal Trade
Talkative African grey parrots are charismatic internet stars. A global scramble to source and sell the birds threatens their survival.
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 7:08 PM
They’re cute, they’re charismatic, they’re all over TikTok: @wire-wildlife.bsky.social Editor in Chief Rene Ebersole spent over a year investigating how internet fame has intensified the illegal trade of African grey parrots.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, conservationists John and Terese Hart work to halt the illegal trade decimating wild African grey parrots. Read the full story at the 🔗 in bio and at wireonline.org. 📸 by Karine Aigner
November 21, 2025 at 1:09 AM
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, conservationists John and Terese Hart work to halt the illegal trade decimating wild African grey parrots. Read the full story at the 🔗 in bio and at wireonline.org. 📸 by Karine Aigner
Parrot exporter Gideon Fourie greets his two tigers through the fence with a casual “hello, pussycat.” A glimpse into the world of people who keep and trade exotic animals. Read the full story at the 🔗 in bio and at wireonline.org. 🎥 by Carissa Henderson
November 20, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Parrot exporter Gideon Fourie greets his two tigers through the fence with a casual “hello, pussycat.” A glimpse into the world of people who keep and trade exotic animals. Read the full story at the 🔗 in bio and at wireonline.org. 🎥 by Carissa Henderson
Gideon Fourie’s quarantine facility in Rustenburg, South Africa, is a holding station for everything from parrots and giraffes to ostriches and lions — but African grey parrots, mostly bound for the Middle East and Asia, are the heart of his profitable wildlife export business.
November 19, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Gideon Fourie’s quarantine facility in Rustenburg, South Africa, is a holding station for everything from parrots and giraffes to ostriches and lions — but African grey parrots, mostly bound for the Middle East and Asia, are the heart of his profitable wildlife export business.
Reposted by WIRE: Wildlife Investigative Reporters & Editors
A Rolling Stone x WIRE investigation: TikTok Is Obsessed With Parrots. It’s Fueling a Global Black Market
A probe into the African-grey trade reveals a web of poachers, egg smugglers, businessmen & multitudes who want a talking bird.
Read: www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
A probe into the African-grey trade reveals a web of poachers, egg smugglers, businessmen & multitudes who want a talking bird.
Read: www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
November 18, 2025 at 2:01 PM
A Rolling Stone x WIRE investigation: TikTok Is Obsessed With Parrots. It’s Fueling a Global Black Market
A probe into the African-grey trade reveals a web of poachers, egg smugglers, businessmen & multitudes who want a talking bird.
Read: www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
A probe into the African-grey trade reveals a web of poachers, egg smugglers, businessmen & multitudes who want a talking bird.
Read: www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
Reposted by WIRE: Wildlife Investigative Reporters & Editors
Rolling Stone teamed up with Wildlife Investigative Reporters and Editors (WIRE), a nonprofit journalism organization exposing wildlife crime and exploitation of nature.
Watch the mini-doc made in association with RS Films here: youtu.be/460m3L9Xwxo
Watch the mini-doc made in association with RS Films here: youtu.be/460m3L9Xwxo
November 18, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Rolling Stone teamed up with Wildlife Investigative Reporters and Editors (WIRE), a nonprofit journalism organization exposing wildlife crime and exploitation of nature.
Watch the mini-doc made in association with RS Films here: youtu.be/460m3L9Xwxo
Watch the mini-doc made in association with RS Films here: youtu.be/460m3L9Xwxo
Reposted by WIRE: Wildlife Investigative Reporters & Editors
TikTok is obsessed with talking parrots. It’s fueling a global black market. Rolling Stone reports ⤵
TikTok Is Obsessed With Talking Parrots. It's Fueling a Global Black Market
bit.ly
November 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM
TikTok is obsessed with talking parrots. It’s fueling a global black market. Rolling Stone reports ⤵
Reposted by WIRE: Wildlife Investigative Reporters & Editors
The rising demand for African grey parrots and the price for a single bird — as much as $7,000 — drive rampant poaching.
An estimated 1.3 million were traded from 1975-2015, but the true number taken was likely far higher because most die in transit.
🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
An estimated 1.3 million were traded from 1975-2015, but the true number taken was likely far higher because most die in transit.
🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
November 18, 2025 at 2:43 PM
The rising demand for African grey parrots and the price for a single bird — as much as $7,000 — drive rampant poaching.
An estimated 1.3 million were traded from 1975-2015, but the true number taken was likely far higher because most die in transit.
🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
An estimated 1.3 million were traded from 1975-2015, but the true number taken was likely far higher because most die in transit.
🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...