On 12 March 2021, upon a joint operation of the Police and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, a licensed animal trader in Tai Po “Parrot Village & Pets Company Limited” (“Parrot Village”) was found to be unlawfully possessing 33 parrots, 20 of which are endangered species in Appendix I of the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) (“the Ordinance”), and another 13 species protected under Appendix II of the Ordinance.

The 20 endangered species in Appendix I included African grey parrots, Scarlet macaw, and Great green macaw. Together with the other 13 Annex II animals, all 33 endangered parrots were taken away by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for further inspection and handling[1]. Since Parrot Village is a licensed animal trader and breeder, the Police did not seize the other parrots and fledgelings.

During the operation, a 44-year-old man and a 46-year-old woman were arrested. They were suspected of unlawfully possessing the 33 parrots contrary to section 9 and section 15 of the Ordinance[2]. They were currently on bail pending further investigation.

It was reported that on Parrot Village’s suspected Facebook page[3], there were showing large among of parrots and their eggs[4]. The Police are investigating whether the endangered species were bred, sold, and imported by Parrot Village.

The Ordinance incorporated the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (“CITES”), to which Hong Kong is a party. CITES aims to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants would not threaten their survival. Accordingly, CITES classified 40,000 endangered species of animals and plants into 3 appendices depending on the degree of threats posed on the species by international trade[5], and advise respective protection on the animals and plants. The 3 appendices in the Ordinance incorporated the 3 appendices in CITES.

Under the Ordinance, unless otherwise licensed or authorized by the Director of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, it is an offence to import, export, re-export and possess specimens of Appendix I and Appendix II species[6].

This incident was discovered by the police on complaints of buyers of sick parrots and fledgelings from Parrot Village[7]. Once again it highlights the difficulties in detecting and prosecuting illegal trading and breeding of endangered species in Hong Kong.

Courtesy of Felix Tsang.

References

[1] https://hk.appledaily.com/breaking/20210313/A34PG6CLLVHYZCATMBVXESBDA4/

[2] https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap586

[3] https://www.facebook.com/%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E9%B8%9A%E9%B5%A1%E6%9D%91-2716789225004883/

[4] https://www.hk01.com/%E7%AA%81%E7%99%BC/598628/%E5%A4%A7%E5%9F%94-%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E9%B8%9A%E9%B5%A1%E6%9D%91-%E9%9D%9E%E6%B3%95%E7%AE%A1%E6%9C%8960%E9%9A%BB%E9%B8%9A%E9%B5%A1-%E5%8C%85%E6%8B%AC%E7%80%95%E5%8D%B1%E5%93%81%E7%A8%AE-%E8%AD%A6%E6%8B%98%E5%A4%AB%E5%A9%A6

[5] https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/con_end/con_end_cites/con_end_cites.html

[6] https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap586

[7] https://hk.appledaily.com/breaking/20210312/UJ55HFWGNVD45C3NQHMNC2AFQU/