Officials push new ban as thousands of households keep iconic creatures as pets: 'They will understand eventually'

Officials push new ban as thousands of households keep iconic creatures as pets: 'They will understand eventually'

In a major victory for wildlife conservation and local communities, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has finally taken sweeping action to protect African gray parrots from a decade of unsustainable trade, according to Mongabay.  The new nationwide ban — signed in late July by the country's environment minister — outlaws the capture, sale, transport, and export of these beloved birds, except in special cases like research. The move comes af…