Inside the Secret Trade That Threatens Rare Birds

Singapore is a major transit hub for trade in threatened birds, especially African grey parrots. 

By Laurel Neme

PUBLISHED APRIL 19, 2016

Singapore plays a key role as a major international transshipment hub for the global aviculture industry, according to a new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the wildlife trade monitoring organization TRAFFIC. That’s especially true for trade in African grey parrots.

African greys are highly sought-after as pets because they’re so smart and talkative. (Alex, who lived with scientist Irene Pepperberg for 30 years, had a vocabulary of more than a hundred words and a mind-blowing range of cognitive skills beyond.) They’re native to Equatorial Africa, but populations are declining throughout their range. Although millions of African greys have been bred in captivity, demand for wild-caught birds remains high, and they’re especially vulnerable because they roost in large groups and tend to concentrate around water sources or mineral licks.

They’re now so popular that some range countries have proposed that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the body that regulates the global wildlife trade, categorize them as requiring maximum protection.

The new study, published in the journal Oryx, sheds light on the bird trade system. It reveals that Singapore has been a major conduit for birds from Africa and Europe to East Asia and the Middle East and that between 2005 and 2014 the city-state imported 212 bird species listed by CITES as needing protections, with African grey parrots the most intensively traded.

Continued ...

Govt 'careless and callous' about threatened birds

Wednesday, 16 April, 2014 - 16:07

The National Government is increasing the threat to two of the world’s most threatened and unique birds by opening up Victoria Forest Park to petroleum drilling, the Green Party said today.

Scientists have recently published a ranking of the 100 most evolutionary distinct birds under threat from extinction. The birds on this list are of special conservation concern; they have no close relatives that share their DNA and are truly irreplaceable. Two birds on this list, the kaka and the south island wren, known in New Zealand as the rock wren, live in Victoria Forest Park which the Government has just opened up for petroleum exploration.

"The National Government is proposing to allow petroleum exploration in the habitat of two of the world’s most unique and threatened birds, the rock wren and the kaka," said Green Party conservation spokesperson Eugenie Sage.

"The kaka and rock wren are irreplaceable birds species on the edge of extinction and yet the National Government is increasing the risk to their existence, rather than protecting them.

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Name Barnsley beer to help rare bird

Beer-lovers in Barnsley are invited to name a new ale to help a threatened bird.

The town’s Acorn Brewery is working with the RSPB on the competition to help the bittern, one of the UK’s most at risk birds and a rare type of small heron.

For every pint sold, Acorn will donate five pence to the RSPB to create homes for bitterns at its nature reserves across the north.

Mike Harris from the RSPB said: “We are challenging people to come up with an unforgettable name drinkers will associate with the beer and the bittern. “

Winners will get to help brew the beer and pull the first pint.

Email acornbrewery@rspb.org.uk by March 14

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/name-barnsley-beer-to-help-rare-bird-1-6439562

Hope for threatened birds

November 2013: According to research led by researchers at the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), there is strong evidence to show that internationally important British bird populations are under threat from climate change. 

Published in the journal Nature Climate Change, the paper assessed the impact of climate change on breeding seabirds and wintering waterbirds found at protected sites across the UK. 

Species that will be threatened by climate change for the long-term include Arctic terns, guillemots, eider and bar-tailed godwit.

However, despite this bleak outlook, the BTO are keen to emphasize a positive message that has come out of the research. While the SPA network will not be able to singlehandedly stop some species from declining, they will play an increasingly important role as sanctuaries.

The paper's lead author, Dr Ali Johnson, said: "We found that the measures we already have in place to conserve our seabirds and waterbirds are ‘future-proofed' for a changing climate, and will also protect important populations in the future".

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/do/ecco.py/view_item?listid=1&listcatid=1&listitemid=17880

Birds 'show value of conservation investments'

The plights of the world's threatened birds show the value of investing in conservation, according to campaigners.

One in eight of the world's birds is currently considered threatened.

A report by the Birdlife Partnership links continuing declines to deteriorating biodiversity, but it also highlights successfully protected species and habitats.

Conservationists suggest this shows how the estimated $80bn (£50bn) price tag of conserving nature is worthwhile.

Last year, scientists suggested it would cost about $5bn to reduce the extinction threat for all threatened wildlife, and up to $76bn to maintain a global network of protected areas.

"The total sums may sound large, but they are small in terms of government budgets, and they should be seen as investments, not bills," said Dr Stuart Butchart, Birdlife's head of science.

"Saving nature makes economic sense because of the payback in terms of services and benefits that people receive in return, from mitigating climate change to pollinating crops."

Read on

Rare birds get back on track

Sunday, 24 February 2013, 11:40 am Press Release: New Zealand Government

Hon Dr Nick Smith

Minister of Conservation

24 February  2013       

Media Statement       

Rare birds get back on track

Whio (Wikipedia)

Kokako (Wikipedia)

The $1 million partnership between DOC and Air New Zealand to bring some of our most threatened birds back to our acclaimed Great Walks track network is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when business gets involved in conservation, says Minister of Conservation Dr Nick Smith.

“This is an inspiring partnership that benefits both conservation and tourism. It will create predator free zones for some of our most threatened birds while adding to the visitor experience on our most famous Great Walks,” says Dr Smith.

“This Bluegreen approach of finding environmentally responsible business partners to help fund conservation helps us do more in tight financial times. The benefits for conservation are more than just the $1 million, as Air New Zealand’s marketing muscles also helps us raise the profile of these threatened iconic birds.

“This is not just about international tourists. This is about New Zealanders being able to see birds like kiwi, whio, takahe and kokako in their natural habitat.

“Air New Zealand is showing real leadership and innovation with this initiative and I am encouraging DOC to continue exploring other partnerships that will help the conservation cause.”

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1302/S00355/rare-birds-get-back-on-track.htm