DUDLEY Zoo is highlighting the plight of wild parrots facing extinction through widespread poaching.

Parrots in Peril in the Discovery Centre will be seen by thousands of visitors.

It has been put together by presenter Kellie Piper who looks after three parrots at her home.

She said: “I have always had an interest in parrots and knew there was a problem with culling in the wild as part of the illegal trade in them, so I thought I would research the situation and help educate people about it.” A third of the 345 species of parrots are threatened with extinction from loss of habitat and trading in wild birds, 30 species are extinct due to the impact of humans and only one in every five parrots captured in the wild survives the ordeal.

Kellie added: “I was shocked by how many parrots are in danger. It was even worse than I imagined.

“One of the messages from the display is that if, after doing your homework, you still want a parrot for a pet, please go to an established dealer and make sure you do not buy a bird that has been caught illegally.”