A captive Bulbul that is straw-headed Pycnonotus, popular in Asian areas © TRAFFIC

hunted because of their track

Asian songbirds reach crisis point. Need for a wide selection of songbirds throughout Southeast Asia has led to a madness of unlawful trapping and trade that is unsustainable provide need for them as caged birds.

The incessant trapping of songbirds is causing woodlands that have been when full of song to gradually develop quiet. This has driven some types just like the Straw-headed Bulbul to extinction that is local. In nations including Indonesia, Viet Nam and Singapore these are visit this link generally bought and entered into performing competitions. Some species of songbirds including the White-rumped Shama fetch an increased cost if sourced through the crazy. We have been using the services of conservationists, neighborhood governments and campaigners to prevent the plunder that is unmitigated of valuable animals.

over 70,000

wild birds have now been recently seen in trade across SE Asian bird markets

wild birds had been discovered accessible in stores in Singapore over a four time study

of bird types discovered easily obtainable in Viet Nam are not at the mercy of any trade settings

Java Sparrow

are very nearly extinct in the open because of over-trapping and trade that is illegal

all existing crazy folks are due to reintroduction after capture that is decimating trade

Illegal trapping of wild wild birds is bringing silence to lots of Asia’s rainforests. It is nevertheless maybe perhaps perhaps not far too late to truly save the song that is last but we need to work fast

Serene Chng, Programme Officer – Pets and Fashion

hope is based on collaboration

The songbird trade preservation problem is very complex. a co-ordinated work by conservationists across various industries is needed to tackle plummeting wild populace figures.

We have been active individuals plus one associated with catalysts associated with the IUCN/SSC Asian Songbird Trade Specialist that is newly-formed Group. It is attempting to produce synergies by joining together a variety of professionals discover approaches to reverse the threats that are growing songbirds and increase the preservation status of all types included. The preservation action we are tangled up in contains in situ research into crazy populations and associated research that is genetic trade monitoring and appropriate security, ex situ conservation breeding programmes, and helping raise understanding and develop community engagement initiatives.

Java Sparrow Lonchura oryzivora © Jonathan Leung / CC Generic 2.0

Conservation Strategy for Southeast Asian Songbirds in Trade

Professionals from wildlife preservation and research organisations, including TRAFFIC, developed a method to safeguard the region’s songbirds during the very first Asian Songbird Trade Crisis Summit in 2015. This document, alongside an in depth action plan, guide the IUCN/SSC Asian Songbird Trade professional Group inside their preservation efforts.

everything we’re doing to save songbirds that are asian

trade monitoring and analysis

Even though interest in songbirds is longstanding, it absolutely was our trade monitoring work that shone a limelight regarding the scale that is sheer of bird trade and catalysed more preservation actions.

An instant but comprehensive stock of Jakarta’s bird that is notorious in June 2014 uncovered over 19,000 wild wild birds on the market over three times. This volume that is alarming us and our lovers into organising the initial Southeast Asian Songbird Trade Crisis Summit in September 2015. Ever since then, we now have carried out more studies, uncovering the scale regarding the bird trade across Southeast Asia and increasing the profile of the problem with governments, other preservation organisations, and customer teams. Our scientific studies are assisting to support the Summits, the IUCN/SSC Asian Songbird Trade Specialist Group as well as the Conservation Strategy, IUCN Red List™ status updates, reviews of nationwide protected species listings, and preservation actions by other people.

Black-winged Myna Acridotheres melanopterus © Doug Jansonjj / CC Generic 2.0

Asian Songbird Crisis Summits

The inaugural Asian Songbird Crisis Summit occured in Singapore in October 2015 to deal with the threat that is rapidly escalating wild songbird populations in Asia. Yearly conferences have actually since been held to keep up energy plus the force on Asian governments to turn off unlawful and unsustainable trade.

28 concern types greatly relying on the crisis happen identified for urgent security, while having been the main focus of efforts to reverse declines that are sharp the crazy. Actions are increasingly being been taken by NGOs, governments, academics, zoological institutions, and awareness that is public, while having included approaches such as for example training, customer outreach, increased enforcement and strengthened regulation.

Oriental White-eyes Zosterops palpebrosus prepared for purchase © TRAFFIC

Silent Forest initiative

TRAFFIC and also the Association that is european of and Aquariums (EAZA) will work together to reverse the crisis facing Asian Songbirds. In February 2018, we finalized an MoU with EAZA to intensify our collaboration, in specific when it comes to their Silent woodland campaign.

Silent Forest is attempting to increase understanding inside the public that is general zoos, fundraise for preservation efforts trying to prevent extinctions and supply knowledge, mentorship and manpower to guide and initiate conservation breeding programs and associated ex-situ research tasks. In April 2018, EAZA plus the Silent Forest campaign partners circulated a posture declaration on songbird trafficking.

Javan Green Magpie, caught away from the wild – its future survival is based on captive breeding programmes © Chester Zoo