Nigerian customs officials at Lagos International Airport have confiscated more than 1,600 parrots and canaries that were being illegally transported to Kuwait, marking one of the largest wildlife seizures in recent years.
The shipment, intercepted on July 31, included ring-necked parrots and yellow-fronted canaries, and was not accompanied by a CITES declaration or the necessary legal documentation, according to customs authorities, reports Al-Rai daily.
Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Michael Oye, a customs inspector at the airport, emphasized the agency’s strict oversight. “No illegal shipment will escape under my supervision,” he stated, adding that customs personnel are stationed throughout the airport to detect and prevent wildlife smuggling.
An investigation has been launched to identify those responsible for the shipment. The birds will be handed over to the National Park Service for care and rehabilitation.
