WILDLIFE TRADE Singapore’s domestic and international markets Does the international parrot trade coming through Singapore feed the growth of parrot hobbyists? A recent peer-reviewed article* attempted to pull together and evaluate relevant data. Here Anuj Jain, Scott Aloysius, Yong Ding Li and Jessica Lee outline some of the findings.

African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus). Photo: Jessica Lee

* Aloysius S.A., Yong D.L., Lee J. and Jain, A. (2019). Flying into extinction: Understanding the role of Singapore’s international parrot trade in growing domestic demand. Conservation International, 1 – 17. doi:10.1017/S0959270919000182. Readers can access this paper online at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333786246_Flying_into_extinction_Understanding_the_role_of_ Singapore%27s_international_parrot_trade_in_growing_domestic_demand

Jan – Mar 2020 Nature Watch 13 outheast Asia’s bird trade as captive-bred, some imports had been has been of global conser- declared as wild-caught. Earlier studies vation concern for many have presumed that the differences in years as it is known to have overall numbers must lie in problems massively depleted wild with certification or with the trade Spopulations of many . data, and some being retained (Order Psittaciformes) have become espe- for breeding stock. But the recent cially vulnerable — they are the most visibility of local parrot hobbyist groups, heavily traded group of birds globally particularly when flying their birds out under the Convention on International in public parks, suggests that possibly Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) the explanation lies in the demand for lists. At the same time, Singapore’s parrots in the local trade. involvement as a transhipment hub A number of past surveys of bird in this global pet bird trade has been shops exist, although each carried out equally well known and documented, with different methods. The general and again particularly for parrots. findings were that the majority of birds What has not always been so well sold by volume in Singapore’s pet shops documented or consistently quantified is were songbirds, but that various species Indian Ring-necked Parakeets the extent of local bird trading, although (Psittacula krameri). Photo: Anuj Jain of parrots made up around 40% of some studies of birds in pet shops have total bird species recorded in the shops. been made in the last decade. Even The reduction of bird The most common parrots, in terms of less is known about the links between trade in Europe now quantity sold, included the Budgerigar the international trade in and out of (Melopsittacus undulatus), Singapore and the domestic trade in makes Singapore (Nymphicus hollandicus) and Monk birds kept for personal hobby purposes. far more important Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), which The present study attempts to quantify in the global trade are all not CITES-listed. However, the this relationship by comparing bird majority of parrot species on sale were trade data on the CITES database with further strengthening CITES-listed. the past market surveys of pet shops, Singapore’s position Furthermore, parrots comprised and then complement this quantitative as a transhipment hub a substantial proportion (44.4%) of analysis with semi-structured interviews threatened birds recorded in pet shops with 30 parrot owners in Singapore. as more and more that have possibly been wild caught and We first reviewed the Singapore trade is channelled trafficked into the country. They include import and export data of CITES-listed into the region. the Yellow-crested ( birds for the period 2005 to 2016. We do sulphurea) and African Grey Parrot not often expect to hear good news about (Psittacus erithacus). international wildlife trade, but in fact, Singapore’s position as a transhipment In addition, a study of wildlife due to actions taken by the European hub as more and more trade is trade advertisements on online Union (EU) in 2005 to ban all trade channelled into the region. platforms by Concerns in wild-caught birds, there has been a Over the same period, because of Research and Education Society huge decline in the total imports into the EU ban and similar bans in other (ACRES) found that a significant Singapore and exports from Singapore of countries globally, the major countries proportion (273 out of 655; 41.7%) CITES-listed species of birds from 2005 from which imports originate have involved were CITES-listed birds. to 2016 (see Figure 1A and B). varied each year and may well continue However, the vast majority of the to do so. The top three import and Interviews with parrot owners birds that are now traded are parrots export countries for Singapore from Between January and August 2017, we and the proportion of parrots in the 2005 – 2016 is shown in Figure 2. conducted 30 semi-structured interviews total trade has increased year on year. Of additional concern is the with parrot owners. They included two So, whilst the decline gives hope for difference between the import and local parrot breeders, a founder of a the future, there is still much to be export figures for Singapore. Over the local parrot hobbyist group and two concerned about. In fact, the reduction period 2005 – 2016, 54,207 fewer parrot sitters. The interviews explored of bird trade in Europe now makes birds were exported than imported, the factors that drive the demand for Singapore far more important in the and although all CITES-listed birds parrots in Singapore by asking the fol- global trade, further strengthening exported from Singapore were declared lowing questions:

14 Nature Watch Jan – Mar 2020 1. Why do you think parrots are Figure 1: (a) increasingly popular as pets in Singapore? If you belong to a parrot Imports and exports of CITES-listed birds and CITES- hobbyist community, please elaborate listed parrots from 2005 to 2016 how you were introduced and the activities conducted?

2. Which factors motivate you to keep parrot(s)?

3. What are your main considerations when purchasing a parrot?

A detailed description of the interview results and analysis will be covered in a separate study. Here, we present results that explore the changing ownership trends in Singapore and how Figure 1: (b) it relates to the country’s international Imports minus exports of CITES-listed birds and trade of parrots. Interviewees were CITES-listed parrots from 2005 to 2016 numbered from 1 to 30 based on the date of the interview. Selected quotes by parrot owners who were interviewed are listed in the box on page 17. Interviews with parrot owners in Singapore revealed that pet shops and hobbyist groups in Singapore function as key platforms that influence the public to keep parrots, and sometimes on impulse. Parrot hobbyist group events such as the free flying of parrots in the open are especially effective at attracting interest from passers-by. A local breeder shared that although the majority These groups also leverage social media of parrots sold consist of the smaller, non-CITES to draw attention and recruit members. Hobbyist group members agreed that listed parrots such as budgerigars and , the number of hobbyist groups and the demand for larger parrots has also increased. membership within these groups have increased over the past five years. (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) — have data in a separate article, we hope A local breeder who we increased by 50% in Singapore from that the authorities continue to interviewed shared that although the 2001 to 2016. Furthermore, some tighten checks on import and export majority of parrots sold consist of the owners purchase additional parrots as certifications to have a firmer grasp on smaller, non-CITES listed parrots companions for their first parrots. the present trade and to ensure that such as budgerigars and cockatiels, Local breeders also state that wild-caught birds are not traded locally the demand for larger parrots has also parrots are the most expensive birds sold or internationally through Singapore. increased. Interviewees also shared in Singapore, with their price ranging The domestic demand for parrots may that some parrot owners keep smaller from SGD200 to SGD40,000. This have been previously underestimated parrots to gain handling experience is consistent with anecdotal records and it needs to be more comprehensively before progressing to larger parrots. that suggest the Hyacinth Macaw documented. We suggest that to The breeder confirmed the growing was the most expensive bird, priced manage Singapore’s international and anecdotal evidence which suggests between SGD35,000 (USD26,170) to domestic pet bird trade, there needs that macaw sales — including that SGD40,000 (USD30,000) in 2014. to be a more regulated licensing and of threatened species such as the While we will present a records system to track the movement of globally vulnerable Hyacinth Macaw comprehensive analysis of the interview all traded birds.

Jan – Mar 2020 Nature Watch 15 Figure 2 Singapore's top import and export countries/territories for CITES listed parrots from 2005 to 2016

Tanimbar (Cacatua goffiniana) and Sun Conures (Aratinga A Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) can solstitialis) on display at a parrot hobbyist group gathering in fetch up to S$40,000 in Singapore. Photo: Bjorn Olesen Singapore. Photo: Anuj Jain

16 Nature Watch Jan – Mar 2020 The Nature Society (Singapore) Selected quotes from parrot owners, interviewed is currently producing a position during the study, highlighting their motivations and paper, with support from BirdLife perceptions towards parrot keeping in Singapore International, on the state of Singapore’s parrot trade. The paper raises concerns Note: Quotes have been deliberately left unedited. over the growing trade and parrot “Birds, can fly and come back, the keeping trends and offers specific thrill of that got people interested, recommendations for stakeholders they think it is very cool.” to ensure the sustainability of parrot populations for future generations. Use of social media “Through social media many are introduced and made aware of a Acknowledgements parrot’s capability and how cute, The authors thank Margie Hall who adorable, and intelligent they are.” helped produce this shortened version of “There is greater awareness on the original paper for Nature Watch. parrots because of the Facebook group created, more parrot Anuj Jain has a passion for birds, owners can get together, it is like a butterflies and biomimicry. He obtained community.” his doctorate in conservation biology from Upgrading to larger parrots the National University of Singapore. Anuj “Some people start off with small currently works for BirdLife International parrots, to train their ability to care on Asia’s threatened birds impacted by the for parrots then upgrade to bigger illegal wildlife trade. He has been involved parrots”. in many conservation and education projects through NSS for over a decade. Purchasing companion pets “I wanted to find a male companion Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona Scott Aloysius studied Environmental aestiva). Photo: Jessica Lee for my female bird” Biology at the National University of “To have only one bird is quite sad Role of pet shops Singapore. His research interests include so I got a second one, to accom- “My friend brought me to a pet ecology, conservation and wildlife trade. He pany my first one” is an editorial contributor for Earth.Org shop and I ended up buying two cockatiels.” and The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

“When I went to the pet shop I had Yong Ding Li obtained his doctorate in no intention to buy the parrot but the longer I was there, I knew I would conservation biology from the Australian come out buying something.” National University. He currently works full time for BirdLife International Impulse buying coordinating work on migratory birds “I went to the bird shop to buy in Asia. Ding Li has been involved bird food, I actually had zero with the NSS’s bird group for 20 years, intention of getting a bird but and currently coordinates its annually- then saw one at a bird shop and it looked so cute.” organised Singapore Parrot Count.

“People in the parrot community use Jessica Lee spent most of her life the word “poison”. They play up the growing up with parrot adoptees. Her positive aspects of the birds and passion for parrots led her to a PhD in not the negatives, like the cost” parrot conservation in Australia and her Getting passers-by interested work with BirdLife Australia. She now “When parrot owners meet non- works for Wildlife Reserves Singapore, parrot owners during events, the coordinating research and wildlife non-parrot owners will get to see African Grey Parrots (Psittacus conservation efforts in Singapore and the parrots start getting interested erithacus) are popular for their across Southeast Asia, with a particular in keeping parrots.” ability to mimic human voices. focus on parrots, hornbills and songbirds.

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