New Report: U.S. Demand Fueling Illegal Capture and Trade of Certain
Endangered Mexican Parrots Tucson, Ariz., El Paso, Texas, Laredo, Texas, and
Tijuana among the main entry points for parrot smuggling, according to
wildlife officials and parrot trappers
MEXICO CITY - February 14 - U.S. consumer demand for certain imperiled
Mexican parrot species could be a major factor in their extinction if
current trends continue, according to a new report titled The Illegal Parrot
Trade in Mexico: A Comprehensive Assessment released today by Defenders of
Wildlife. Of the top 10 Mexican parrot species that are smuggled into the
United States, five are endangered, two are threatened and one is under
special protection in Mexico.
"Clearly this is not a sustainable market. Smuggling of certain endangered
parrots, such as the yellow headed parrot and the yellow naped parrot, into
the United States is increasing, and this demand is pushing already depleted
parrot populations in Mexico to the brink of extinction," says Juan Carlos
Cantu Guzman, manager of the Mexico program at Defenders of Wildlife and
lead author of the report. "Birds are being taken from the wild, sometimes
plucked right out of the nest, and dying at alarming rates for sale in the
pet trade. Next to habitat loss, parrot trapping posses the greatest threat
to the birds' survival in Mexico."
In one of the most detailed examinations ever of any illegal animal trade,
the report estimates that Mexican parrot trappers illegally capture roughly
65,000 to 78,500 parrots annually. About 75 percent of these die from
stress, disease, rough handling, crushing, asphyxiation or dehydration
during capture and transport before reaching the consumer. In many
instances, 50 parrots are stuffed in a shipping container barely larger than
a shoe box for days on end until they reach the market. Estimates for the
number of parrots smuggled into the United States are as high as 9,400 each
year. Many of these are sick, injured, dying or severely traumatized. None
of these birds have proper legal documentation and are sold without the
required health examination and quarantine to identify potential disease
risks.
Populations of high-demand parrot species have decreased by 25 percent to 30
percent and have disappeared entirely from many regions. For example, the
yellow naped parrot has not been found in the Mexican state of Oaxaca for
several years.
Defenders' report identifies several different routes frequented by parrot
smugglers to get the birds across the border into the United States. The
most common routes are the Gulf Coast trade route, which ends in southern
Texas in Brownsville, Eagle Pass, El Paso, Laredo or McAllen. Smugglers who
choose to take the Pacific route, which hugs the coastline, are most
commonly destined for Tijuana or Tucson, Ariz.
Parrots are trafficked through airports across the nation as well. The main
ports of entry are Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City and
San Francisco.
"We will not stop the illegal parrot trade without a well-publicized and
permanent ban on trapping," said Cantu Guzman. "This, in combination with
more resources and support for wildlife agencies on both sides of the
border, could drastically reduce illegal parrot trapping and trade.
We also need extensive public education efforts by these same agencies to
make consumers aware of parrot trafficking and reduce demand for certain
species."
Additionally, the report suggests as solutions captive breeding programs
focused on parrots not native to Mexico but still valued by bird-lovers, a
program to turn parrot trappers into eco-tour leaders, and enforcement of
existing conservation programs. However, Cantu Guzman points out that
creating new regulatory programs and enforcing the laws in this huge
developing nation and along a porous border will be difficult without
significantly greater funding.
"Unfortunately, our love and desire for Mexico's beautiful parrots is going
to drive them towards extinction if we don't take these steps to stop their
illegal capture and sale," said Cantu Guzman.
Defenders of Wildlife urges U.S. consumers not to purchase parrots that lack
proper documentation so as not to inadvertently support the illegal parrot
trade. Be sure to obtain documentation on the parrot before making a
purchase. This will tell you if it was imported or captive bred here in the
U.S. Legal documentation of imported parrots includes two forms-a U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (FWS) declaration form and a CITES permit that prove
the bird has legally been brought into the United States. The FWS
declaration form will include the scientific and common name of the parrot,
the date of import, the port of import, the parrot's permit number, country
of origin, breeder, value and, most importantly, clearance from FWS. In
addition to this important documentation, consumers should check the parrot
for closed bands around its legs. Without a leg band to identify the bird,
an export permit could be used to smuggle illegally captured parrots. Pet
stores may or may not have this information on hand, so take the time to
research breeders and suppliers before purchasing a parrot.
There are no blanket forms or documentation for parrots that U.S.
breeders are required to use, but if a breeder claims that a parrot has been
bred in the United States there are a few things you should request.
Reputable breeders will keep records of their parrot stock, successful
breedings, specific information on the clutches of eggs and dates of birth
for their birds. Again, consumers should check the parrot for closed bands
around its legs. These are rings that can only be put on the bird when it is
a chick and that have the information of the breeding facility.
The full report can be found at www.defenders.org/mexicanparrot.
http://www.commondreams.org/news2007/0214-06.htm
