July 31, 2025 – Lagos, Nigeria
In a significant victory for wildlife protection in West Africa, Focused Conservation and the Nigeria Customs Service Special Wildlife Office (NSWO) successfully intercepted a shipment of protected birds at Lagos International Airport. The birds—originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and destined for Kuwait—were seized just before boarding an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
During the operation, officers rescued 37 Ringnecked Parakeets and approximately 1,500 Yellow-fronted Canaries. Both species are protected under Nigeria’s Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, and the canaries are also listed in Appendix III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). International trade of Appendix III species requires proper permits, which were not obtained in this case.
The seizure underscores the increasing efforts by Nigerian authorities to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and to close the loopholes that have allowed the country to become known transit point for smuggled wildlife. The NSWO officers acted swiftly, preventing the shipment from leaving the country and securing the birds’ welfare.
“This is a great example of how proactive enforcement and international cooperation can disrupt trafficking networks and protect vulnerable species,” said Danny Murphy, Technical Advisor from Focused Conservation.
The rescued birds are now receiving care and rehabilitation at Greenfingers Initiative, a wildlife rescue and conservation organization based in Lagos.
Nigeria continues to demonstrate its commitment to wildlife conservation. The recent passage of the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, 2024 by the House of Representatives is expected to strengthen existing laws and provide greater protection for species at risk from the illegal trade.
This operation highlights the importance of continued collaboration between local authorities, international conservation groups, and wildlife rescue partners to safeguard the biodiversity of Africa and beyond.
