Authorities busted an illegal parrot smuggling ring in Cameroon on Tuesday. Officials recovered 500 African Grey parrots worth approximately $400,000, and advised the birds would be released back into their natural habitat.

Illegal trade of these parrots is common in the area and Ofir Drori, director of the Last Great Ape Organization conservation group, is glad to see the government cracking down on the problem. “The (forestry and wildlife) minister's decision to release the birds into the wild far from the hands of the dealers will send a strong message," he said.

Authorities apprehended the two Ghanaian suspects after being alerted something was amiss by 500 warbling voices chanting “Polly want a cracker.”

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