Illegal parrot trade and the consequences

[Amandastander]

Hey guys and gals, not sure where to post this but its something I HAVE to get off my chest. Hubby secured a documentary abt illegal parrot trade, I was shocked to say the least! The capture through to the treatment and living conditions of these poor birds are so disgusting I cannot find a word to describe it! From African greys right through to blue fronted amazons! Its heartbreaking, I didn't finish watching. So here's my take, so many parrots are endangered in their natural habitat because of this already, but its a case of supply and demand, so it continues! I saw 7 chicks die in 1 feeding because of the incompetence, chicks in overcrowded aviarys if it can be called that! Living in squallor and deep droppings, becoming sick and dying because of it. Also because of the vast amt of birds captured, there is an oversupply, making them cheaper, affording any old person the opportunity to own a bird, most people don't have the dedication it takes, most of these birds end up dead or in rescues! Please I implore you all to make sure the birds you buy were captive bred and not wild caught ones! So what are we the parrot community going to do to at least try to curb this sickening trade?

 

[IcyWolf]

Thankfully, here in the US the importation of wild caught parrots is illegal, now to just get some kind of inspections for those that do breed and we'd be set. Get rid of all these bird mills and reward the good breeders out there.

 

[coral3]

Yes, it's an awful thing, and many birds die being smuggled on flights in the most cramped conditions imaginable. The sad fact - and it's an uncomfortable fact for those of us who love our pet birds - is that pretty much all domestic birds (even those from reputable breeders) would have decended from birds which were poached out of the wild at some point, and/or transported from one country to another illegally in terrible conditions. I would hope that it's a thing of the past now, but I guess there will always be some people out there willing to exploit animals for a quick buck.

 

[Amandastander]

You're right about that coral3, they were all once wild, but the sad thing is they're supplying so much more than is needed, I saw on the documentary how they first put rings on the wild birds, then fill in the forms as captive bred, because now they have rings to "prove" it, and then just pay for exportation papers to imply such. Then they get overcrowded in their cages tpo save on airport taxes!

 

[henpecked]

I would disagree with coral. At least here in the US that statement is not true. Importers of wild caught parrots spent tons of money learning how to get birds into the US without the great losses that are associated with birds that are smuggled illegally. When importation was legal ,importers would send someone to the exporting countries to help get healthy birds shipped properly.The vast majority of birds here in the US where legally imported with the best shipping practices possible to avoid high mortality rates. many importers would supervise capture,holding,medical and shipping to insure best survival rates possible. Losing birds is not good business. Illegal smuggling is a different story but the US is so strict that litle occurs here. Parrots are relativity cheap in the US , supply and demand does apply.The problem is more common in Arab and Asian cultures now days. Demand for wild caught birds and their removal from native habitat would be helped by allowing the Export of domestically raised birds from the US, but sadly that will never happen. No where outside of their native habitat are parrots cheaper than here in the US. mainly due to the fact of breeders learning about bird care and good breeding practices. Supply and demand, why would you smuggle birds into the US? Australia ,Kuwait where they are worth 10x the money?

 

[paulhanlon]

I fully agree with everything you have said I think more people are starting to open there eyes and see the reality of this sickining trade in my home town across the road from me some guy was illigaly importing the rare species of amazon the tres marias and breeding them to make a quick buck thankfully I managed to get him stopped but after seeing the way wild birds are kept in aviarys full of crap etc I would hope to think that more people would buy from a breeder or adopt an older bird from a rescue I beg every person who its thinking about buying a wild captive bird not to don't give these people that are doing this any lime light what so ever be smart buy from a breeder or adopt from a rescue lets run these sick people that do this to these beautiful birds right into the ground.

 

[coral3]

I'm in Australia. Sadly, customs still - even in this day and age - seize birds and eggs, being smuggled out of (and into) Australia.

Australia's wildlife blackmarket trade - Australian Geographic

Australian customs info: http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/wildlife_smuggling_fact_sheet.pdf

 

[Amandastander]

The specific documentary was abt greys being smuggled out of cote d ivoire through Zaire etc, to South Africa. Where I live. And about amazons being smuggled out to europe, have to say I didn't see anything about USA. Love the laws there regarding the matter. Think all trade cross border should stop worldwide, seeing as there's almost every species in every country in the world allready that's being captive bred. Our own Cape Parrot is endangered here in South Africa, though I believe quite a few to be across the world. Same as the cherry headed conure that's aparently endangered in its native surrounds buit yet there's a large wild flock in San Francisco. That's a bird I would really like to own, but cannot find in my country. I've thought about importing one, untill I saw this documentary. They may tell me my birds legal, when in fact it may have been subjected to the treatment I saw. There's so much corruption one can never be 100 percent sure when importing. No matter what the importer tells you.

 

[RescueMe]

Its a sad fact of life that humans can and will continue to exploit anything and everything to gain for themselves. Bird trafficking is a result of greed that will continue regardless of laws and regulations. The only way to end it is to end the demand for the "product" that poachers provide. Trafficking occurs in every trade from humans to drugs and animals. Demand will always drive to market. This is one of many reasons that rescue must be the avenue for bird lovers.

 

[PortaPerch]

It goes the other way, too, once in awhile. Ten of 12 bird species on Guam are now extinct in the wild, because of the Brown Tree Snake that got on the island. I wonder if all those beautiful varieties of birds are in flocks or zoos elsewhere?

 

[Amandastander]

Portaperch that WOULD be interesting to know. Mabey a survey would be in order. GUAM you say? Will see what I can come up with