07/12/2007 08:25 - (SA)

Addis Ababa - Ethiopian Airlines said on Thursday that it was not aware of a Cameroonian conservation group's allegation that the state-run airline was involved in illegal wildlife smuggling.

The Yaounde-based Last Great Ape Organisation (LAGA), working with Cameroonian security forces, seized a consignment of 500 African Grey parrots on Tuesday on an Ethiopian Airlines plane shortly before it was due to take off.

LAGA said on Wednesday that it was considering suing Ethiopian Airlines for complicity.

Airline spokesperson Leoul Tekelemedhin said: "We have no knowledge of the allegation that Ethiopian Airlines was involved in an international illegal trade in wildlife. We will study the case and respond to the allegation in due course."

The African Grey was a medium-sized parrot, which was prized as a pet. It was said to be one of the world's most intelligent birds, partly for its ability to mimic human speech.

The species was listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, to which Cameroon was a signatory. The pact required exporters to have a permit issued by a national authority.

Cameroonian authorities arrested to Ghanaians just more than a week ago for trying to illegally export another batch of 500 parrots. The two sets of birds were worth an estimated $800 000.