Parrot Smuggling in Surabaya Indonesia
An Animal Rights Article from All-Creatures.org

FROM

ProFauna Indonesia
January 2009

Thousands parrots from the wild of Papua and North Maluku are caught to supply the domestic and the international illegal wildlife trade. In their latest report in 2008 entitled “PIRATED PARROTS”, the Indonesian wildlife protection NGO, ProFauna Indonesia, revealed the evidence on the smuggling of wild caught parrots to Philippines during their investigation. Meanwhile, the centre of domestic parrot trade is in Surabaya, where wild parrots are smuggled to city from Maluku and Papua.

From the data collected by ProFauna Indonesia about animal markets in Surabaya (Bratang, Turi, and Kupang markets), shows that the domestic trade in parrots is still at high level. Some of the most wanted species are the sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Goffin Cockatoo (Cacatua goffini), Moluccan Cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis), black-capped Lory (Lorius lory), and many more.

In 2008, ProFauna recorded that about 1000 parrots were traded in Surabaya black markets. To disguise the protected birds from the government’s monitor, traders keep the endangered parrots at their houses instead of displaying them in the markets. If there is a potential buyer, they will show him the endangered birds.

The illegal trade of protected parrots and ownership violate the Indonesian wildlife act of the 1990, concerning the Conservation of the Natural Resources and their Ecosystems. Accordingly, the perpetrators are liable to a maximum five-year prison term and a maximum 100 million Rupiah (10,000 USD) fine.

The high level of parrot trade in Surabaya urges ProFauna to campaign on the protection of endangered parrots in Indonesia. In the 30th December, ProFauna staged a demonstration to attract the public not to trade parrots. Bringing a four-metre parrot baloon in the demonstration, ProFauna demands the government to enforce the law to strictly curb the illegal trade.

ProFauna Campaign Officer, R. Tri Prayudhi stated, ”Many cruelties happen behind parrot trade. The parrot’s death rate is as high as 40 % by the time they arrive at the sales points, during the process of poaching, transportation and trade, due to poor conditions and bad handling”. ProFauna believes that parrots are more beautiful in the wild. Especially in Maluku and Papua, parrots in the wild can become tourism attraction that can support the economy status of the locals.

NEVER buy an animal. Always adopt...knowing you are responsible for the well-being of any animal for the rest of their lives.

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