The birds, including ring-necked parrots and green- and yellow-fronted canaries, were confiscated at Lagos International Airport on July 31. The Customs Service announced the seizure recently, noting that it underscores Nigeria's continuing struggles with wildlife trafficking, attributed to inadequate regulation and enforcement.
NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada shared that the shipment was halted during routine inspections due to lacking the necessary documentation. Although these bird species are common, they still require legal permits for export. The seized birds are now in the custody of the National Parks Service and will undergo rehabilitation before their release back into their natural habitats.
Despite Nigeria's commitment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the country faces challenges as it has become a major transit point for the illegal wildlife trade. This persists in a landscape plagued by corruption and poorly managed borders, facilitating the trafficking of various wildlife products including ivory and pangolin scales.
Experts estimate that the global illegal wildlife trade generates between $7 billion to $23 billion annually. The demand is particularly high for songbirds such as canaries, fueled by popularity in singing competitions, while rare parrots can sell for over $1,000 each. The investigation into this particular case continues, aiming to identify and bring to justice those behind the illicit traffic.
In light of these events, the customs agency reiterates its commitment to combatting wildlife crime, a battle that remains ongoing as they seek to dismantle the networks involved in this illegal trade.
Stay informed about wildlife issues in Nigeria and beyond, as challenges in environmental protection and cultural preservation persist.
NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada shared that the shipment was halted during routine inspections due to lacking the necessary documentation. Although these bird species are common, they still require legal permits for export. The seized birds are now in the custody of the National Parks Service and will undergo rehabilitation before their release back into their natural habitats.
Despite Nigeria's commitment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the country faces challenges as it has become a major transit point for the illegal wildlife trade. This persists in a landscape plagued by corruption and poorly managed borders, facilitating the trafficking of various wildlife products including ivory and pangolin scales.
Experts estimate that the global illegal wildlife trade generates between $7 billion to $23 billion annually. The demand is particularly high for songbirds such as canaries, fueled by popularity in singing competitions, while rare parrots can sell for over $1,000 each. The investigation into this particular case continues, aiming to identify and bring to justice those behind the illicit traffic.
In light of these events, the customs agency reiterates its commitment to combatting wildlife crime, a battle that remains ongoing as they seek to dismantle the networks involved in this illegal trade.
Stay informed about wildlife issues in Nigeria and beyond, as challenges in environmental protection and cultural preservation persist.
