Using Microbiome Science to Expose Parrot Trafficking
Wild African Grey Parrots are protected under CITES Appendix I, yet many are still being taken from the wild and funnelled into the legal pet trade. To help stop this, the World Parrot Trust has partnered with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), the University of Colorado Boulder, and Nature Iraq on a groundbreaking new project.
A Scientific Breakthrough
Earlier research by the University of Colorado, SANBI, and WPT led to a major discovery: a simple, non-invasive fecal sample can reveal whether an African Grey Parrot is wild-caught or captive-bred.
This works by analyzing the parrot’s microbiome — the community of bacteria, fungi, plant material, and other tiny organisms that live in its gut. Because wild and captive parrots eat different foods and live in different environments, their microbiome profiles are noticeably different.
Turning Science Into a Forensic Tool
Our current project is the next step: testing this method in real-world conditions so it can be used to fight wildlife crime.
Over the next 12 months, we aim to:
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Build lab capacity in partner countries to analyze samples.
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Create clear protocols for collecting, handling, and storing samples so they can be used in legal cases.
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Work with key on-the-ground partners — customs officers, police, environmental agencies, airport staff, breeders, quarantine facilities, and pet markets — to identify the best points in the supply chain to gather evidence.
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Validate the method so it can eventually become a trusted tool for enforcement agencies.
Where We’re Working
We are focusing on countries that play major roles in the African Grey Parrot trade including South Africa – the largest legal exporter – and importing and transit countries in the Middle East – the largest legal importers. Testing the tool in these locations will give us the best chance to understand how the tool can be applied to prevent wild parrots from being laundered into the legal trade.
How the Method Works
Using advanced genetic sequencing, researchers examine two types of microbial markers found in fecal samples:
• 16S marker genes – show the bacteria present
• 18S marker genes – show fungi, parasites, plant cells, and even some of the bird’s own cells
Together, these markers form a “microbiome fingerprint” that clearly differentiates wild birds from captive-bred ones.
A Tool With Global Potential
Once fully developed, this method could:
- Help authorities identify wild-caught parrots laundered through legal channels
- Strengthen legal cases against traffickers
- Be adapted for other species facing similar threats
- Support enforcement agencies worldwide in combating wildlife crime
By bringing cutting-edge science into the hands of wildlife authorities, we can disrupt illegal trade networks, protect threatened parrots, and strengthen global biodiversity conservation.
