Despite CITES protections, millions of parrots are illegally trafficked from wild populations, with mortality rates during capture and transport often exceeding 60%.
Wild-caught parrots suffer from capture injuries, suffocation in containers, dehydration, disease transmission, and the severe psychological distress of extreme confinement. Many die before reaching their destination. Survivors face a life in captivity far removed from their natural social and physical environment. The illegal trade continues to hollow out wild parrot populations.