China: Driving Change: Our Impact on Species Trade
We collaborated with Beijing Normal University tto better understand and improve the trade in bird species. This collaboration resulted in us generating impactful recommendations that are aimed at enhancing the management of captive-bred parrots in China. These recommendations were adopted and integrated into a notice released by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA) on May 6, 2022. This signalled a significant step towards improving parrot captive breeding practices.
Building on this success, we made further recommendations to expand the government labelling system to include additional parrot species and to help differentiate between captive-bred and wild-caught individuals. These suggestions played a role in the revision of the Chinese Wildlife Protection Law, which came into effect on May 1, 2023.
Our support also extended to the grassroots level with the establishment of a local professional association for parrot traders in Shangqiu City. The China TRADE Hub team provided essential guidance, training and coordination to these traders that empowered them to adopt sustainable practices.
Recognizing the importance of capacity building to ensure the legality and sustainability of the international bird trade, we facilitated the exchange of information through surveys of physical bird markets and analyses of international trade in these animals. These efforts were aimed at strengthening law enforcement against illegal wildlife trade sources and safeguarding vulnerable species.
Our collaboration led to the development of lists of Chinese common names for species that need protection. These lists helped CITES authorities in their regulatory efforts to ensure that bird trade is sustainable. Most importantly, Chinese bird names are now accessible in Species+, which is now serving as a valuable resource for governments as they implement CITES regulations of these animals.
Together, these initiatives reflect our commitment to driving positive change towards conserving parrot species in China through collaborative partnerships and actionable recommendations.
Tanzania: Shaping Policy: Our Impact on Wildlife Trade Regulation
Our project recommendations shaped policies and laws governing wildlife trade in Tanzania. Working closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT), we helped update in national policy, particularly related to hunting regulations and the introduction of electronic auction systems for hunting permits.
Our involvement in key committees and working groups, appointed by the MNRT and the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), was instrumental in the success of the process to review and update the Wildlife Conservation Act. Notably, our input contributed to the production of new wildlife trade regulations in 2022.
Through our recommendations, we advocated for improvements in policies, regulations, and the overall enabling environment for wildlife trade. We emphasized the importance of effective engagement of all stakeholders and proposed revisions to the allocation system for hunting blocks. This promoted equitable access for both local and professional hunters.
Our research on chameleon trade in Tanzania shed light on the scale of this activity and its potential impacts on species that are slow to recover from population declines. These findings influenced ongoing discussions regarding hunting bans and moratoria on the export of live wild animals, prompting a re-evaluation of existing regulations.
Our efforts garnered positive responses from government and non-state stakeholders alike, reflecting an increased willingness to cooperate in developing sustainable trade practices. We received a commendation from the Honourable Exaud S. Kigahe, Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, which underscores the significance of our project's impact on Tanzania's wildlife trade landscape.
Indonesia: A More Sustainable Songbird Trade? Insights and Recommendations
In Indonesia, songbirds hold deep cultural significance. They symbolize status, beauty, and a connection to nature. Keeping songbirds as pets is a cherished tradition, as they are prized for their melodious songs and vibrant plumage. The practice also has social aspects. Bird singing competitions are popular events where enthusiasts gather to celebrate and showcase their prized pets.
The songbird trade in Indonesia also poses a significant threat to wild bird populations as so many birds are taken from the wild that some species populations are in decline. This trade operates predominantly within Indonesia, but it has implications for the wider region as well. Recognizing the cultural importance of this trade, we actively engaged in understanding its dynamics and provided recommendations to mitigate its impact on wild birds.
At team led by CIFOR in Indonesia applied machine learning models to analyze songbird listings in Indonesia's online marketplace, to hshed light on the urgency of monitoring online trade. The research revealed that 6.2% of the bird species found in the online marketplace are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. This emphasized the need for online trade monitoring. This innovative approach offered a potential solution to bridge enforcement gaps since authorities often focus only on traditional markets.
Given the cultural significance of keeping songbirds in Indonesia, the study garnered attention from many media outlets, amplifying awareness of the issue. Moreover, we advocated for further research to replicate this method in other countries such as the USA and Guyana, showcasing its global applicability across diverse languages and taxa.
By leveraging cutting-edge technology and interdisciplinary collaboration, we are at the forefront of efforts to address the songbird trade by advocating for sustainable practices and conservation measures that safeguard Indonesia's rich avian biodiversity.