Ep. 27 Whistles & squawks with World Parrot Trust's Dr Rowan Martin

What a thrill to be chatting about parrots in the birdhide. At one point, they even fly overhead! Kibale Forest edge is the location for my conversation with Dr. Rowan Martin, Director of Africa Region Programmes at the World Parrot Trust. In Episode 27 of the award-winning East Africa Travel Podcast, we chuckle over the cheeky whistles and squawks of our favourite avian residents. First, we look at local monitoring on the ground: How do the World Parrot Trust and the passionate young team at Sunbird Hill monitor African grey parrots that have been rescued from traffickers and released into the wild? Next, we discuss the complex realities of the global pet trade: What is Rowan's advice for people who want parrots as pets? How do cute-looking social media clips drive illegal bird and wildlife trafficking? What is the science behind the conservation work and why is it illegal to catch and sell wild caught grey parrots Finally, we explore family travel in Uganda. Hippos and fireflies were some of his family's Lake Mburo safari highlights, so what else makes Uganda a great destination for kids? Join me, Charlotte Beauvoisin, author of Diary of a Muzungu, as we discuss cute pets, the challenges of wildlife trafficking and parrot conservation, and celebrate the joy of camping with a young family.   Welcome to my world! Tune in to the award-winning East Africa Travel Podcast for the dawn chorus of a tropical rainforest, gorilla tracking adventures and the sound of waves lapping on an Indian Ocean beach. Join me on my morning nature walks (mind we don't slip in an elephant pothole!) and listen in to illuminating chats with conservationists and intrepid travellers in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. Sign up to my occasional newsletter. Visit www.eastafricatravelpodcast.com for detailed transcripts. Follow Charlotte Beauvoisin, Diary of a Muzungu on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.