World Parrot Trust

The World Parrot Trust is an international leader in evidence-based parrot conservation and welfare. The World Parrot Trust has been on a mission to save parrots from extinction by developing effective conservation solutions in collaboration with governments, non-profit organisations and local communities. They focus on saving endangered species, fighting the wildlife trade, protecting wild spaces, inspiring communities, and improving parrot care. Together, we are making a tangible difference and securing a future where parrots thrive in harmony with our shared planet.

World Parrot Trust operate by funding specific in-situ conservation projects in over 45 countries, most of which are based in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Science underpins all aspects of the trust’s operation, from conducting field research and surveys to community engagement activities. A big focus for the World Parrot Trust is working with law enforcement to mitigate the effects of one of the largest and most devastating threats to parrots globally, the illegal wildlife trade. Projects encompass:

• Intercepting illegal trade routes to rescue parrots from being smuggled out of their range country.
• Educating and supporting communities to act as the first line of defence against trafficking.
• Powering law enforcement to disrupt trafficking networks.
• Advocating for robust anti-trade policy by corporations and governments.

In the field, operations involve rescue assistance and capacity building through in-person training and guidelines for people involved in parrot rescues. They work with vets, rescue centres, zoos, and forestry departments across countries like Indonesia to develop parrot health and husbandry training practices. To increase the size of parrot populations, they have developed a number of captive breeding and release programs both in the UK and within parrot range countries, as well as further monitoring of wild populations and illegal trade markets for individuals. Assisted breeding for wild parrots is achieved through installing nest boxes, habitat assessments, and large-scale surveys to identify suitable release sites for parrots.

For over 10 years, Blackpool Zoo has been a dedicated supporter of the Lory Conservation Network, a branch of projects aimed at saving lorries and lorikeets. 22% of lory species are now threatened, with 4 classified as ‘Endangered’ and 2 as ‘Critically Endangered’. Since 2019, Blackpool Zoo has supported the Mitchell’s lorikeet fund. This species is endemic to Bali, Indonesia, but is currently extinct in the wild. Donations to the project help to fund breeding and repatriation from zoos in the UK and within Bali back into the wild. Population assessments are also conducted across Bali and Lombok as a priority for informing actions for species recovery. By supporting these pioneering and innovative science-based actions, Blackpool Zoo hopes to help the World Parrot Trust to ensure their vision of all parrots living long, healthy, and happy lives safe from extinction.