Words by ABK Publications
Photographs courtesy of Shane Hancock

Birds and their breeders flocked to Orange recently to attend the annual bird sale held by The Orange Bird Society. Some 5000 birds were benched and attendees and trade displays personnel numbered over 2000 people.

The heavy rain did not seem to dampen spirits, however, it did make the task of handling large numbers difficult for the club organisers who had to erect marques between two buildings to provide a larger area for the event as there was not a suitable alternative site available to cater for this popular event. The Orange Mayor attended the venue—hopefully the much needed stadium planned will be ready for next year's sale!



Sheryll Steele Boyce of ABK Publications with bird breeder Paul Kruzen of Utopia Birds

 
Crowds fill one of the display areas

 

Trade display presenters Mikaela and Eeva of DNA sexing service—Molecular Diagnostic Services

Hayle, Cornwall, United Kingdom

February 8, 2010
The World Parrot Trust (WPT) has sent emergency funds to aid in the treatment and housing of over 1000 Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus), the largest group of illegally trapped Grey Parrots ever seized in the country of Cameroon. The seizure, which occurred in early February, is the third such confiscation of this species in the country since December 2007. The aid is being directed to Limbe Wildlife Centre (LWC) and the Last Great Ape Organization (LAGA), two independent African wildlife rescue groups working with government officials to coordinate the seizures and subsequent care of the birds - in an attempt to reduce the trade in this species. This aid follows closely on the heels of emergency funding sent by the WPT in response to a smaller seizure of 300 birds in November of 2009.

Funds needed immediately; wildlife center inundated
The parrots were delivered to the Limbe Wildlife Center shortly after the confiscation, which was spearheaded by the Last Great Ape Organization.  The shipment, which was scheduled to leave for Kuwait and Bahrain International Airports, respectively, was without proper documentation from international authorities.  Upon arrival at Limbe it was discovered that 47 of the birds were already dead, with another 30 dying of thirst and stress on the first day.  Simone de Vries, manager of Limbe, stated “It makes you sick to see how the parrots are packed in the boxes, the weaker ones trampled by the strongest.”  The center has been inundated with the sudden appearance of the Greys, still having to deal with the remaining birds of the shipment from November of last year.  The current group of parrots is being kept in ape quarantine enclosures, as there is nowhere else to house them.

Parrot populations declining
The Grey Parrot is listed as near threatened by the 2009 IUCN Red List, as evaluated by Bird Life International. Their threatened status is due to the persistent heavy trapping of these parrots for the wild bird trade.  Illegal trapping continues in Cameroon, in spite of measures being taken by local and international communities.

International groups working together to end trade
The World Parrot Trust and its partners have recently launched the FlyFree program (www.parrots.org/flyfree), the first international campaign aimed specifically at providing support to front-line wildlife rescue groups working to end the wild-caught bird trade and return parrots to the wild, in more than a dozen locations worldwide.

INTRODUCTION
A recent court case between Mr Bill Schwarzenberg and the Commonwealth of Australia, namely the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), who ordered the forfeiture of 173 parrots over approximately 19 species deemed illegal, has caused an astonished reaction throughout the parrot breeding community. Although his birds were deemed illegal Mr Schwarzenberg was not charged.
Various concerned bird keepers and media including Australian BirdKeeper Magazine expressed their concern by writing to the Department over the euthanasia issue—details below.
There has been a media release and communication from the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts to Bird Keepers—details below.

COURT DENIES RETURN OF ILLEGAL BIRDS

Media Release Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
30 November 2009

A Victorian court has denied the return of 173 exotic birds to their keeper after finding they had been illegally imported into the country. 
The result is a win for Australia’s fight against illegal wildlife trade, an issue taken seriously due to the risk it places on Australia’s unique flora and fauna. 
Mike Smith from the federal environment department said that in addition to disease risks, Australia is a signatory to an international treaty which places regulations on the global wildlife trade.
‘Bird smuggling can put Australia’s biodiversity at great risk and can have long-lasting, devastating impacts on both the environment and the bird keeping industry,’ Smith said.
‘Exotic birds can carry some particularly nasty diseases which have the potential to wipe out native species or become invasive pests which compete with our native wildlife.
‘Illegal trade in wildlife is a serious crime with equally serious consequences. This is why the department has ramped up its focus on illegal wildlife trade over the last few years.’
The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts began investigating the involvement of the 61-year-old man from Sunbury, Victoria, in relation to bird smuggling back in November 2006.
A number of search warrants executed at premises throughout Victoria in 2007 led to the discovery of numerous exotic birds which were seized in August 2007 under national environment law.
The man applied to the courts to have his birds returned, however the County Court of Victoria concluded on Friday 27 November 2009 that the birds were illegally imported and he was denied the return of the birds.
Mr Smith said a number of the forfeited birds will be rehoused at government institutions while the remainder will need to be euthanased due to the potential risks they pose to the Australian environment.
The department is continuing its investigations into the illegal importation of exotic bird species in Australia and will continue to seize birds, animals and plants that have been smuggled into the country.
Australia is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The birds in question were species listed under this convention.


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Email from DEWHA on behalf of Exotic Birdkeepers Discussion Group
18 December 2009

Dear Bird Keepers,

Further information regarding the recent court case.

The Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has been receiving numerous requests to house the exotic birds that were subject of a recent forfeiture ruling by the Victorian County Court.

The department has a strict policy in place for the handling of live forfeited exotic specimens. This policy takes into account certain principles such as:

• The protection of Australian biodiversity
• Conservation of endangered species through research, breeding or education
• Ensuring that illegal trade is not further stimulated
• The welfare of specimens
• The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and
• The Convention on Biological Diversity

The policy also takes into account legal obligations under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The policy outlines three options for handling forfeited specimens. These are:

• Housing them within Australia at an Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria institutions (now called Zoo and Aquarium Association);
• Re-exporting them to an appropriate facility outside of Australia; or
• Humane euthanasia

We are now liaising with the Zoo and Aquarium Association regarding re-housing options for the forfeited birds.  Facilities must meet very strict requirements in order to be deemed suitable to house the specimens including being a full institutional member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association.  There are strict requirements in place to avoid laundering illegal birds, to ensure the animals will be well cared for and to address disease concerns.

Illegally obtained specimens have an unknown genetic and disease background and are therefore not likely to be accepted into conservation breeding programs.  For this reason the re-exportation of illegal specimens overseas is difficult, very expensive and has limited conservation value.

An unfortunate consequence of illegal wildlife smuggling may be the euthanasia of the animals.  This is not something that is taken lightly by the department.  If a suitable facility is not available and re-exportation is not viable then the option of humane euthanasia must be considered.  It is not a pleasant decision to make but it’s an unfortunate consequence of the criminal animal trade.  Any euthanasia is carried out in a humane manner by a qualified veterinarian.

The department would appreciate any information you can provide which might help in the fight against wildlife smuggling and illegal wildlife trade. By stopping these activities, we can avoid these types of situations and protect Australia’s wildlife as well as the bird keeping industry. 
 
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Email from DEWHA on behalf of Exotic Birdkeepers Discussion Group
18 December 2009

Dear Bird Keepers,

Many of you have become aware of a recent court case which was heard before the Victorian County Court in late August 2009. 
On Friday, 27 November 2009, the judge handed down his judgment and found that each of the 173 seized exotic parrot specimens should be forfeited to the Commonwealth as they had been used or were otherwise involved in the commission of an offence, namely possession of illegally imported specimens under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
The department is aware that many of you are concerned about how this court decision will affect you.
We are working with Australian and international law enforcement agencies to tackle wildlife trade crime. It is known that wildlife smuggling networks are operating within Australia, as well as overseas.
The main focus of this work is to target people who are actively involved in wildlife trafficking and illegal activities that support trafficking.
If you are not involved in these activities and are not actively assisting in the trade of smuggled birds within Australia, you should not be concerned.
To ensure that you are not sold illegal birds it is important that you keep good records of where your birds have come from and make sure that any birds or eggs you buy are from known sources.
Under the laws it is your responsibility as a bird keeper to be able to prove that any exotic bird you own is legal. It is important to understand that when the department decides to seize suspect birds or eggs it takes into account a number of relevant issues, including:
• Any reliable information to suggest that a person was knowingly or recklessly involved in an illegal activity such as holding or laundering illegal birds or eggs.
• Whether the person is cooperating with the investigation, and
• Whether there was a need to seize the bird or egg to assist in broader investigations, for example, to prove another person had acted illegally.

********************************************
Dear Editor, Australian BirdKeeper Magazine, 

 I am writing with regard to the ‘in situ’ seizure and impending confiscation of 173 exotic birds from a Victorian aviculturist.
 It is now very clear that the DEWHA intends only to rehouse a percentage of these birds with the remainder of these innocent CITES listed birds to be euthanased—or perhaps SLAUGHTERED is a better way of putting it.
I feel that the department’s stance on this matter is totally unacceptable and that we—the aviculturists of Australia—must do everything in our power to prevent this from happening. If we, the bird keepers of Australia—regardless of the species we keep—cannot come together and work as one in the fight against this then what hope do we have of finding a clear and workable resolution with regards to the future of exotic bird keeping in this country?
Furthermore, with the department declaring that they will be KILLING these innocent birds, I thought that it should be noted that there is a provision within their regulations for private aviculturists to apply for a permit to allow them to set up an approved captive breeding program for CITES listed species. The acquiring of birds for this purpose can be achieved in two ways—these being that the birds can either come from documented legally imported stock or via an application to house forfeited or confiscated specimens. Given the circumstances I feel it may be worthwhile exploring this avenue.
Yours in aviculture,
Ian Ward
President, The Avicultural Society of New South Wales
20 December 2010
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Melanie Swinnerton
Ag Assistant Director
International Wildlife Trade Section 
DEWHA                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
Dear Melanie,

Thank you for the correspondence which I received yesterday regarding the birds from Victoria which are currently under seizure.
My initial reason for contacting your department was to enquire about the possibility of having my aviaries inspected and, if deemed necessary, to have my entire complex upgraded to a standard which may be deemed satisfactory to your department in order to hold some of the forfeited birds rather than see them subjected to euthanasia.
Although I am not aware of the status which one must carry in order to be allowed to hold birds such as these ones, I was trying to enquire as to the correct steps involved in applying for and holding such a licence of accreditation with the Zoo and Aquarium Association.
I have read with interest the six princples (outlined below) which are noted on your email, however for someone such as myself—who has been involved with birds of different types for approximately 50 years—I cannot make sense of the decision, nor find any good reason, to have these birds destroyed.

1. The protection of Australian biodiversity
In 1990 I was involved with a shipment of birds which came to us through the A.Q.I.S. facility in Spotswood, Victoria. I personally went to the UK in September of that year to select the birds to be imported, so I am well aware of the risk of disease which foreign birds may present to our native fauna. In saying this, however, the birds in question have—as far as I’m aware—been under the control of your department for some two years now and if they were carrying anything which was detrimental to their health I am sure such diseases would have presented themselves by now. It only takes one drop of blood to verify whether birds are carrying any condition or illness foreign to what is currently in our country at this time.
Believe me, those of us keeping exotic parrots take every precaution to prevent any of them escaping.

2.  Conservation of endangered species through research, breeding or education
These birds which are currently under your control are birds which are widely sought after not only in this but many other countries. Why not allow people—who currently have all their birds registered with your department—to hold these birds under the proviso that they have them for breeding purposes only and that the birds can never be sold without the written approval of your department. Hence the conservation aspect is ensured.

3. Ensuring that illegal trade is not further stimulated
The fastest way to slow the trade of illegal birds is to allow these birds to be kept under specific terms of your department’s supervision. If people are aware that legitimate progeny of these birds are available to them, why would they risk a lifetime of work by buying from doubtful sources, knowing that there was a chance that they may lose them? If a particular type of bird is not available on the open market there is always someone who will be willing to bring some eggs into the country and take the chance that they will not be caught out—just to make a quick dollar.

4. The welfare of specimens
This point is certainly self explanatory. If the birds are housed in aviaries which give them room to fly and are clean, safe and provided with a healthy environment, this must surely be better for their welfare than the alternate suggestion that is being considered?

5. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and the Convention on Biological Diversity 
This point refers to ‘Endangered Species’. Surely, then, the department should realise that these birds must be preserved for the benefit of aviculture in Australia into the future. The birds are already here. There is no sense in destroying them when a complete check by an avian veterinarian could verify whether or not any of them represent a threat to our country or wildlife.

6. The policy also takes into account legal obligations under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Like most other Australian people, I don't understand many of the reasons that government departments do some of the things that they do. At times legislation is passed by some people that really have no idea of the consequences of their decisions—they are simply being guided by a person who is deemed at the time to be an expert on the subject. There is no way that the words ‘Legal Obligations’ can in any way, shape or form be used as an excuse to euthanase these beautiful birds—in fact it is a complete contradiction of points 2 and 4.
Like many people in this fine country of ours, I have kept and bred birds for most of my life—apart from the time when I served with the Australian Army during the Vietnam conflict. We have, in this country, some of the most knowledgeable aviculturists in the world.
Why not use them to the best of your advantage? Have them house and breed the birds in question which will, in turn, take the incentive away from those people who smuggle wildlife into our country for nothing but monetary gain.
I beg you to reconsider your decisions in regards to the birds in question. I personally believe that if these birds are put down for no good reason there will be such an outpouring of anger in the bird community that you will never again regain their trust—even to the extent of no longer getting everyone to comply with your requests to register their birds with the DEWHA.
Please take this letter in the way that it is intended. I am a person who generally keeps to myself and stays away from things which don't concern me directly. I can assure you that I do not make a habit of writing to government departments simply to wear my one finger out on this keyboard.
I hope for, and await, your reply.
Yours sincerely,
Ian Hanington
Jabiru Aviaries NSW
19 January 2010
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Ten years of watching birds in Centennial Park

Trevor Waller, Centennial Parklands’ resident twitcher, celebrates 10 years behind the binoculars this January having shown hundreds of local Sydneysiders the joys of watching birds and their often unusual habits!
Born in South Africa, the former movie set lighting electrician, aspiring Game Ranger, and current structural draftsman immigrated to Australia in 1989. Soon after a close encounter with a noisy miner, he fell in love with birdwatching – or ‘twitching’. This love has led to a ten-year career of leading the popular Birdwatcher’s Breakfasts in Centennial Park.
‘In the summer of 1999/2000 I had the opportunity to take over leading the Birdwatcher’s Breakfasts in Centennial Parklands. Early morning is the best time of day to see birds in the Parklands, and combining our twitching with a bit of breakfast is a great way to start the day,’ said Trevor.
‘The Birdwatcher’s Breakfasts attract a wide range of participants – from those obsessed with our feathered friends, to those who are just curious about what we Twitchers do. They often start out thinking that we are a bird version of trainspotters, but after a few moments they’re usually fascinated with what you can see. There are also overseas birders who use the walk as an easy city starter to get familiar with our birds, before tackling the outback birds.’
There have been over 140 different species of bird identified in Centennial Parklands since the 1920s, ranging from swans and ducks, to Pipits, Fairy Martins and Dusky Moorhen’s. One favourite visitor for many park visitors over the years has been the Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos that gracefully sweep across the skyline and feed on the Pine trees in the Parklands. I recently found a Figbird for a regular breakfaster who had been looking for one for a while.
‘I keep a ‘life list’ which is a list of all the bird species I have seen in the world. I’m up to 631 in Australia, and 1,057 at the moment, but I’m always working to increase that number,’ Trevor said.
‘I like to keep the Birdwatcher’s Breakfasts varied and interesting, by starting at different locations and picking times of the year when different migratory birds are visiting. The group is a nice and informal way of learning the basic skills and, most importantly, learning what to look for.’

Birdwatcher’s Breakfasts with Trevor Waller are held in Centennial Park every season, with
the next on Sunday 7 February 2010. Booking is essential, by phoning the Parklands Office
on (02) 9339 6699. Cost is $21 and includes breakfast.
Centennial Parklands also operates a volunteer birdwatching program that contributes to
data collection for the Birds Australia ‘Bird Atlas’. Contact the Centennial Parklands
Foundation on (02) 9339 6699 for more information.

News from Loro Parque, Tenerife
Loro Parque (LP) is the world’s largest parrot breeding and conservation facility in the world. It is located at Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Each year the LP Fundacion develops a generous budget devoted for conservation projects. In Australian BirdKeeper Magazine we outline a few of the breeding successes that the park achieves with rare parrot species.

In the photograph, a young visitor to Loro Parque, Jenny Zabel, from Germany presents a cheque to Loro Parque, being the fundraising proceeds from her school class. It is very impressive to see young people supporting conservation of threatened species.

Jenny Zabel of Dresden presents her class donation to the Curator of the LPF, Dr. Matthias Reinschmidt

© ABK Publications

New Zealand Bird Cruelty Case

The two men convicted of the savage attack which killed 32 birds in the Temuka Aviary—see story below—were Jonathan Fleming and Simiona John who were sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. Fleming was then sentenced to a further 14 months jail from other charges, a total of 26 months prison sentence. The third man charged with killing the birds was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

THE TIMARU HERALD

Reported by Bethany Marett

Previous Report

Three men have been charged over the deaths of 32 Temuka Aviary birds at Timaru District Court yesterday.

The prosecuted, aged 21, 22 and 27 were jointly charged with burglary and wilfully ill-treating 32 aviary housed birds, causing them to die.

Duty solicitor Killie Walker said one of the three men charged had not been accused of killing any of the birds. Another one of the accused faces further charges of preverting the course of justice by making a false statement to the police after conspiring to give a false alibi.

Locals, including Timaru Bird Club vice-president, Pat Rule, were outraged at the malicious act and were told that the three men remanded on bail would reappear in court on September 15.

ABK will report on the next hearing after this date.

THE TIMARU HERALD, Reported by Bethany Marett

© ABK Publications

The Bathurst Regional Avicultural Society held its inaugural Bird Show on the 14 June 2009. Almost 350 entries were benched for judging—a pleasing result for the club which was only formed in November 2005. Judges for the occasion included Gary Hyslop (Budgerigars), Bill Christianson (Canaries), Grant Bastin (Finches and Zebra Finches) and Peter Naylor (Parrots). The quality was especially notable in the canary and Zebra Finch sections.

Some of the canary entries came from the Sydney area, but it was country exhibitor Allan Rees from Forbes who won Grand Champion. His Open Clear Buff Yorkshire Hen beat a high quality field of canaries for the top honour. Local Bathurst Zebra Finch breeder, John Hadley, won the Grand Champion in this section. His Young Marked White Hen backed up its Grand Champion win at the Dubbo Bird Show two weeks earlier. John Hadley also had a very successful day with final results showing that he too won three Reserve Champions in what was a competitive section.

Canberra breeder Brett Lewis had a worthwhile trip to Bathurst with wins for both the Grand Champion Finch and Grand Champion Parrot. The winning finch was a lovely Red Painted Firetail. A notable class in the finch section was one of 14 Gouldian cocks. The Grand Champion Parrot was awarded to a Normal Bourke’s Parrot cock. Brett Lewis also exhibited birds in the Zebra Finch and Canary sections. Trevor Weal from Bathurst exhibited the Grand Champion Budgerigar. The top bird was an Open Greygreen Opaline hen.

All exhibitors had an enjoyable day with the club catering for both morning tea and a BBQ lunch at no cost to exhibitors. The club is already looking forward to next year’s show which will be located at a bigger venue. It is certainly pleasing to see another country show up and running.

      
Grand Champion Parrot—a Normal               Grand Champion Budgerigar—an
Bourke's Parrot cock—exhibited by              Open Greygreen Opaline hen—exhibited
B & B Lewis                                                          by Trevor Weal

     
Grand Champion Canary—an Open              Grand Champion Finch—a Red Painted
Clear Buff Yorkshire hen—exhibited             Firetail cock—exhibited by B & B Lewis
by Allan Rees


Grand Champion Zebra Finch—a Young
Marked White hen—exhibited by John
Hadley

Customs and Border Protection has cracked its third wildlife smuggling attempt in Western Australia in the last month with the arrest of two men in Perth.

The first man, a 53-year-old Australian, was arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle 39 parrot eggs into Australia through Perth International Airport. He was stopped by Customs and Border Protection officers when he arrived in Perth on a flight from Bali on Sunday 6 September.

During a baggage examination, officers became suspicious that the man may have been concealing prohibited items under his clothing. Further examination revealed the man was carrying 39 parrot eggs concealed in a specially made vest. The man was subsequently arrested and charged by Customs and Border Protection investigators with attempting to smuggle wildlife into Australia.
The eggs were secured by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and have been sterilised because they are such a high biosecurity risk. Illegally imported bird eggs can carry diseases that have the potential to devastate our poultry industries and kill our native wildlife.

Customs and Border Protection investigators then executed warrants on premises at High Wycombe, where another man was arrested and charged with the alleged possession of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) specimens and wildlife smuggling offences.

Customs and Border Protection National Manager Investigations, Richard Janeczko, said wildlife smuggling is a serious crime.
"Customs and Border Protection continues to investigate and prosecute wildlife smuggling attempts into and out of Australia in a bid to end this cruel practice.

"This illegal trade endangers the animals involved, creates a risk to our environment and involves the possibility of transferring diseases to our poultry industries and native species," Mr Janeczko said.
The first man appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Monday 7 September.
Under the national environment law, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the import and export of wildlife is strictly regulated.

The maximum penalty for breaching this law is $110,000 and/or 10 years jail. Customs and Border Protection supports the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts by enforcing this legislation at Australia's borders.



More photographs can be sourced from http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=5768.
Australian Customs and Border Protection

Parrots International has launched their new online magazine, PI Press. To view the premiere issue of PI Press go to http://www.pipress.org/.  

PI Press offers a window into the issue of parrot conservation and companion parrot welfare and contains several sections of interest for your enjoyment:

In the Wild features parrot conservation articles and information.
Companion articles include companion parrot health, welfare, and nutrition.
Blogs from the Field include fifteen of the foremost experts in parrot conservation.
Parrot News flash updates keep you abreast of the latest developments.
Making a Difference highlights exemplary people helping parrot conservation and welfare. 
Special Thanks section ....your name may be there!

Subscribe to receive your free issues of PI Press at http://www.pipress.org/

By Graham Matthews

Isn’t it amazing what a bit of space can do? The change of venue for our Bird Sale to the permanent pavilion at the Riverland Field Days site at Barmera was a great move. Our new trestles worked really well although they will need some modifications before next year.

The pavilion was a resounding success with all in attendance, as it provided ample room for both sellers and trade stands and comfortable space for the buyers and public. We had 35 sellers registered with over 1000 finches, lovebirds, budgies, parrots and cockatoos being benched. There were 17 trade stands offering an assortment of bird orientated equipment, foods and accessories as well as local produce, jewellery, plant pots and art.

Over 600 buyers and public attended the sale and it’s believed many sellers went home with just a few or no birds. Many bird keepers attended just for a look (a few from quite some distance away), and were so impressed they were adamant they’ll be back next year with their own birds to sell. Glenys Matthews and her Barmera Primary School students again put up a display that was well received and this time it was from their recent Environmental Expo.

So in closing the 2009 Sale was an amazing success, thanks to ABK Publications and all our local sponsors listed elsewhere. Thanks to all our members who assisted in setting up, then packing and cleaning up and those who contributed in some other way. The committee is already planning next year and we may just make it an all weekend event with a dinner, guest speaker and other activities. Watch this space for developments.

October Gadget Meeting

The October meeting is to be a “Gadget Meeting” and we want all members attending to bring along something they’ve built or use to make life easier for them with their daily chores. This may be something you invented yourself or have seen somewhere and now use. There will be a prize for the best gadget or idea presented on the day as voted by those in attendance. The prize will be 12 months free subscription to the club.