What happened to the birds stolen from Grange Road Pets?

The thieves stole 65 rare birds, including 40 budgerigars, 20 canaries, two cockatiels, three Bourke parakeets and two red-rumped parrots, worth thousands of pounds from the pet shop in Botley, Southampton.

How has the TikTok craze impacted the exotic bird trade?

The surge in demand for performing parrots on social media has fueled an illegal trade, with poachers capturing birds from the wild and smugglers bringing them into the country in poor conditions.

What challenges do the rescued exotic birds face?

Many of the rescued birds arriving at the government's animal welfare facility are in a terrible state - dehydrated, diseased, and even plucking out their own feathers due to the trauma of being smuggled. Caring for these birds is an intensive process.

Home / Crime and Justice / TikTok Craze Fuels Surge in Illegal Exotic Bird Trade

TikTok Craze Fuels Surge in Illegal Exotic Bird Trade

16 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Thieves stole 65 rare birds worth thousands from pet shop
Demand for performing parrots on social media drives illegal trade
Rescued birds often in poor health, require intensive care

TikTok Craze Fuels Surge in Illegal Exotic Bird Trade

In October, thieves broke into a pet shop in Botley, Southampton and stole 65 rare birds worth thousands of pounds. The theft was part of a growing trend driven by the surge in demand for exotic pets, particularly parrots and other birds, on social media platforms like TikTok.

The pet shop owner, Martin McLellan, was devastated to discover all the birds had been taken, with not a single one left in the cages. Experts believe the stolen birds may have ended up at bird auctions, illegal breeders, or even smuggled to Ireland where there is high demand for exotic species.

The rise in social media videos featuring dancing, singing, and talking parrots has sparked a renewed interest in owning these intelligent but high-maintenance pets. However, this has also led to a spike in birds being illegally captured from the wild or bred in poor conditions to meet the demand.