Trade in the gray parrot Psittacus erithacus on the island of Principe (São Tomé and Principe, Central Africa): Initial assessment of the activity and its impact

Abstract

The trade in Principe's gray parrot Psittacus erithacus population was assessed during a two-month stay on the island. It was established that the gray parrot nests throughout the island, including on cocoa plantations. Despite increasing commerce, it can still be considered a common species on the island. Techniques of capture, which yield a total of approximately 1500 chicks per year, in addition to an unspecified number of adults, are described. Since trade in the gray parrot is probably resulting in the depletion of the species, the assessment of the insular population and the evaluation of the impact of the activity are urgently needed. These studies should involve local hunters. Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Limited.