FEATURE
more than 7,000 birds from 31 species had been offered for sale in the market there. Of these some 300 were macaws, including two Lear’s macaws brought in from Brazil. The most common parrots were the Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva), Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) and Blue-winged Parrotlet (Forpus xanthopterygius) A travelling photographic exhibit
documenting the extent and inhumane treatment of Bolivian wildlife in the illegal pet trade was taken to the country’s five main cities – Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Cochabamba, Trinidad, Tarija and the capital, La Paz. This campaign was organised by
Asociacion Armonia, which has been engaged in conservation activities with the Blue-throated (Ara glaucogularis) and Red- fronted Macaws (Ara rubrogenys) with the support of the Loro Parque Fundación for many years. The campaign under the heading “La
extinctin es para siempre” (Extinction is for ever) showed in the form of an art exhibit, eighteen panels of the worst photos of parrots (and some other birds) in the illegal
A travelling photographic exhibit documenting the extent and inhumane treatment of Bolivian wildlife in the illegal pet trade was taken to the country’s five main cities –
Public attention was enhanced by inviting local celebrities such as Miss Bolivia to participate and seeking the support of local institutions.
pet trade. Many of these photos speak for themselves, with birds cramped into cardboard boxes, down plastic bags, and packed into small cages, often covered in dirt and faeces. Each photo had descriptive information regarding the species and its endemic or threatened status. In addition posters presented data about the illegal bird traffic, which the Armonia personnel had gathered, showing the number of threatened species traded. The exhibit was presented for four days
in each city in a popular central area with local authorities and press being invited for an opening ceremony. Public attention was enhanced by inviting local celebrities such as Miss Bolivia to participate and seeking the support of local institutions. Signatures have been collected on a letter requesting the government to stop the illegal trade and local aid organisations as well as foreign embassies have also been invited to the events. These events gained the attention of the local media, which multiplied the educational effect, as well as the interest of organisations such as CITES in Bolivia. In 2010, given the success of the
BIRD SCENE 35
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