Rare parrots found in plastic bottles in Indonesia.
Indonesian police uncovered dozens of rare live Black-capped Lorries, a type of rare parrot, alongside 10 other dead birds, stuffed in bottles onboard a dock ship in Papua, Indonesia. This species is native to New Guinea and nearby islands in the southwest Pacific Ocean. Crews onboard the ship had heard strange noises inside the box, and led to conducting further checks on the boxes where the parrots were eventually found.
Indonesia is reportedly home to over 130 threatened bird species, according to wildlife trade watchdog TRAFFIC. The seized birds are a protected species in Indonesia, and the illegal large-scale exotic birds trade is the result of demands from the pet trade/ It was, however, not the first time smugglers have stuffed birds in bottles, making futile attempts in avoiding detection by authorities. The intended destination of the parrots were unclear and no arrests have been made so far.
Elizabeth John from TRAFFIC commented: -
"Indonesia perhaps leads the charge in bird smuggling interceptions in the region, but what is needed is more arrests and a true crackdown of the players from source to market,"
Over the years, wildlife traffickers have become increasingly creative with a plethora of methods in concealing and smuggling of wildlife across borders.
In 2012, two men were caught hiding slender lorises (a type of primate) in their underwear.
In 2015, Indonesian police arrested a man who was trying to smuggle 21 yellow-crested cockatoos, an endangered bird, in bottles.
In 2017, Indonesian authorities found 125 exotic birds forced inside drain pipes after wildlife raids that led to several arrests.
In early 2019, a tourist was arrested at Bali’s international airport after customs officers discovered a 2-year-old male sedated and sound asleep orangutan inside a rattan basket placed in the man’s luggage[4].
Similarly, in 2019, a Singaporean man was busted at the Tuas checkpoint after custom officers reportedly heard “meowing” sounds emanating from his pants, prompting the officers to conduct further checks. It was later found that he was carrying four kittens with him.
Under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulation (Cap 139A), any person who imports live birds or poultry without a valid health certificate issued by the veterinary authority in the country of export is liable to a fine of $25,000 and forfeiture of such animals.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap 586), Any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years. The specimens will also be forfeited upon conviction.
Courtesy of Amelia Wang
Main sources: BBC/StraitsTimes/DailySabah