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
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...
We surpassed our goal! The support we received ensures we can finish the short film for WIRE’s first investigation — publishing online in a major international publication this November. Thank you for believing in fearless journalism and helping us bring this work to life.
September 18, 2025 at 8:34 PM
We surpassed our goal! The support we received ensures we can finish the short film for WIRE’s first investigation — publishing online in a major international publication this November. Thank you for believing in fearless journalism and helping us bring this work to life.
We’re excited to introduce WIRE—Wildlife Investigative Reporters & Editors, an independent journalism nonprofit. Our mission: expose crimes, corruption, and hidden forces driving wildlife exploitation—and make sure these stories aren't ignored. A glimpse of our first investigation, coming soon.
September 10, 2025 at 7:29 PM
We’re excited to introduce WIRE—Wildlife Investigative Reporters & Editors, an independent journalism nonprofit. Our mission: expose crimes, corruption, and hidden forces driving wildlife exploitation—and make sure these stories aren't ignored. A glimpse of our first investigation, coming soon.
🐒 This time, we're testing how our social media scheduling tools handle alt text. Thank you for your patience as we do some housekeeping!
September 10, 2024 at 5:28 PM
🐒 This time, we're testing how our social media scheduling tools handle alt text. Thank you for your patience as we do some housekeeping!
🐒 This time, we're testing how our social media scheduling tools handle alt text. Thank you for your patience as we do some housekeeping!
September 10, 2024 at 4:56 PM
🐒 This time, we're testing how our social media scheduling tools handle alt text. Thank you for your patience as we do some housekeeping!
👋 We're WIRE! We're creating rigorous, compelling investigative journalism for the good of wildlife and society.
This is a test post for us. Learn more about us here: https:// buff.ly/3ZbCSE2
This is a test post for us. Learn more about us here: https:// buff.ly/3ZbCSE2
September 9, 2024 at 2:30 PM
👋 We're WIRE! We're creating rigorous, compelling investigative journalism for the good of wildlife and society.
This is a test post for us. Learn more about us here: https:// buff.ly/3ZbCSE2
This is a test post for us. Learn more about us here: https:// buff.ly/3ZbCSE2
👋 We're WIRE! We're creating rigorous, compelling investigative journalism for the good of wildlife and society.
This is a test post for us. Learn more about us here: https:// buff.ly/3ZbCSE2
This is a test post for us. Learn more about us here: https:// buff.ly/3ZbCSE2
September 9, 2024 at 2:15 PM
👋 We're WIRE! We're creating rigorous, compelling investigative journalism for the good of wildlife and society.
This is a test post for us. Learn more about us here: https:// buff.ly/3ZbCSE2
This is a test post for us. Learn more about us here: https:// buff.ly/3ZbCSE2