Global trade in wild African Grey Parrot banned, U.N. meeting rules’

The Pioneer , Monday, October 03, 2016
Correspondent :
The Second North India’s Avian Meet (NIAM) that brought together exotic bird breeders and pet traders from across the country, has raised concern among conservationists and various Animal Welfare Organisations. They contend that such occasions fan the trade of globally threatened birds listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The event that focused on discussing bird-keeping and hand-rearing of exotic species in captive conditions, came at a time when India is attending the CoP17 meet in Johannesburg organised by CITES. The issue on ban of African Grey parrot trade is being hotly debated there, in view of its decreasing population in the wild. India is also observing the World Wildlife week, to spread awareness on conservation.

About 100 members, including an international aviculturist from US, took part in the eventorganised by Delhi Avian Club on Saturday. The members largely discussed issues on breeding and hand rearing of various species of parrots including the rare Macaws, Cockatoos the African Grey parrots among others, all of which are the highlights of exotic bird trade in the country.

Speaking to The Pioneer, Dr DebashishBannerjee, one of the key speakers in NIAM, allayed apprehensions of conservationists saying that it was an international platform for bird lovers and aviculturists, to share their best practices and expertise on the subject.

"What is the harm in captive breeding of exotic birds and their trade?" he questions. "There is no Indian law that prohibits it," said Bannerjee, adding that such practices are helping to keep the genes of the rare species alive, while enabling common man to develop compassion for animals by keeping them as pets.

On being questioned of the source population of such exotic birds in India, he answers, "The practice of exotic bird breeding in India is historic, going on since the days of Lord Mountbatten," he says.

Regarding CITES and the debate on trade ban on certain endangered birds, he says "Certain provisions of CITES need to be taken with a pinch of salt as it is not their trade but habitat loss resulting in their declining population.

However, what further raised the eye brows of the conservationists was the participation of Tony Silva as one of the key speakers of the occasion from US. Silva, who was recognised as a global expert on parrots, shocked the world when (as per New York Times dated February 3, 1996) he along with his mother was caught leading a parrot smuggling racket in "Operation Renegade," an international probe into bird smuggling by the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Division of Law Enforcement. This led to his seven year imprisonment without parole.

According to Shubhobroto Ghosh, Wildlife Project Officer, World Animal Protection India, breeding and trading in non native species of animals is unregulated in India and it is concerning to see people with criminal records advising the Indian avicultural community. “The fact that CITES is not covered in the Wildlife Protection Act and the fact it does not accord protection to non native species is a major worry. Who monitors that species are coming illegally?" he asks.

Nikunj Sharma from People For Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) — India questioned, " While native birds are protected from being caged and traded under Wildlife Protection Act, why is there is no law that regulates the same for exotic birds in the country?"

Clearly, this lacunae is being taken advantage of, with India becoming the hub of trade of Appendix-1 species listed under CITES. These are amongst the most threatened with extinction and CITES prohibits their commercial trade. Further, species as African Grey Parrots exist in the wild and unlike Love Birds and Budgerigars are not domesticated, he said.

Breeding of exotic species for sale, masks and camouflages the poaching and illegal trade of CITES protected species, thereby depleting populations in their native and natural habitat. Thus it is against the best interests of conservation to promote the breeding of exotic birds and exotic pet trade, says GeetaSeshamani, co-founder of Wildlife SOS , an organisation that works for rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals.

 
SOURCE : http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/conservationists-fear-breeding-of-exotic-species-for-sale.html
 


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