<
https://theconversation.com/global-trade-in-wild-birds-is-poorly-monitored-the-risks-to-wildlife-ecosystems-and-human-health-278575>
"Birds have, for centuries, been captured from the wild to be kept in cages –
valued for their looks, songs and ability to imitate sounds. Data compiled by
the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the
global agreement that regulates trade in threatened animals and plants,
indicate that in the 1990s and early 2000s Africa was a leading supplier of
live birds to global markets. Most were captured from the wild and sold to
western European countries.
This trade was permitted under rules at the time, despite concerns raised by
conservationists about animal welfare and public health. Then in 2005, a global
outbreak of avian influenza prompted a suspension on imports of all wild birds
into the European Union, saving millions of birds from being captured and sold.
Shortly after, in 2007, 114 of the most traded bird species were removed from
the CITES lists. These species had accounted for over 70% of the global bird
trade. Currently, over 80% of bird species are not listed by CITES and very few
countries publish data on trade in non-CITES species.
This means that when these birds are sold across borders, trade is not
systematically recorded in global wildlife databases. Decision-makers tasked
with managing risks to people, wildlife and ecosystems lack information on the
scale or scope of trade or its impacts.
As a group of scientists with knowledge of the bird trade in both Africa and
Asian trade hubs, we set out to explore how customs data compiled by the United
Nations Comtrade database could address this blind spot. This database records
the trade of many commodities reported by national customs authorities,
including live animals not listed on the CITES appendices.
We focused on trade between 2006 and 2020 in live birds from African countries
to Hong Kong and Singapore – well known hubs in global trade networks, with
some of the most complete customs data.
Public attention often focuses on illegal trade in charismatic species such as
parrots. But our research found that a vast international trade is taking place
in species that rarely make headlines.
The overlooked trade in wild birds is important. It carries risks for wildlife
conservation, animal welfare and human health."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
