
Illegal Bird Trade Threatens Indonesian Species: Report
Muhammad Rameez Published August 11, 2016 | 12:03 PM

JAKARTA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Augst,2016) - Tens of thousands of endangered Indonesian birds are being sold illegally at markets across the country, a wildlife trade watchdog warned Thursday, flouting laws aimed at protecting these species from extinction. Wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC recorded nearly 23,000 birds for sale at five markets in three major cities on the main island of Java. More than two dozen species identified in the survey were fully protected under Indonesian law, meaning all hunting and trafficking of them is prohibited. These included the critically endangered Black-Winged Myna, native to Java and Bali, and other rare species found nowhere outside Indonesia's vast archipelago. Bird keeping has long been part of Indonesia's national culture, with birdcages a common sight outside homes and shops, but increasing demand for some species as pets has led to dramatic population declines.
"If this level of trade continues, in the next few years some species of birds could be wiped out completely from the wild," Serene Chng, the co-author of TRAFFIC's new report into the bird trade, told AFP. Wildlife activists have urged the government to close several notorious bird markets in Jakarta -- vast, often grimy emporiums openly offering thousands of protected species for sale. But in this latest report TRAFFIC says the widespread trafficking of birds extends far beyond the markets of the Indonesian capital, and called for law enforcement to shut down the illegal trade for good. Indonesia has the highest number of threatened bird species in Asia, wildlife experts say.
The government is revising its wildlife legislation, and conservationists are calling for several species to be granted greater protection.
Related Topics
Recent Stories

Presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan security threat for Pakistan: Munir ..

Year of Sustainability calls upon public to embrace sustainable behaviours to co ..

UAE leaders congratulate President of Turkmenistan on Independence Day

Caretaker PM interacts with students at Oxford Union

Pakistan cricket team departs for ICC World Cup 2023 in India

GPSSA reviews investment performance reports until 2023

Ahmed bin Mohammed attends Arab Media Award ceremony held at 21st Arab Media For ..

Khalifa University inaugurates region’s first-ever advanced lab for marine stu ..

Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 27 September 202 ..

Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 27 September 2023

Sharjah Ruler visits Royal Opera House in Muscat

Fujairah offers condolences on death of Mubarak Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber
More Stories From World
-
The strategic yet isolated Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan
2 days ago -
Egypt announces presidential vote on December 10-12
2 days ago -
Kosovo marks day of mourning after deadly clashes in troubled north
2 days ago -
Azerbaijan vows to guarantee rights of Karabakh Armenians
2 days ago -
Germany's housing sector slumps into crisis
2 days ago -
Indonesia to regulate social media sales soon: leader
2 days ago
-
US to 'evaluate' next steps after French announce Niger withdrawal: Austin
2 days ago -
US Abrams battle tanks arrive in Ukraine, Zelensky says
2 days ago -
Mali's junta delays February presidential election
2 days ago -
US Abrams tanks have arrived in Ukraine: Zelensky
2 days ago -
Ukraine says Russian Black Sea fleet commander killed in attack
2 days ago -
Russian soldier missing after attack on Crimea naval HQ: Moscow
5 days ago