How do we know when a bird species is in trouble? We depend on local communities, scientists, researchers, and international organizations to do this work for us and sound the alarm. Sometimes it is hard to know how to help or where to go for reliable information. We hear that a species is endangered, threatened, or vulnerable, but what do these categories mean and how are those decisions made? Two of the most important places for reliable information are the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The International Union for Conservation of Nature & Natural Resources (IUCN)
IUCN was created in 1948 and is headquartered in Switzerland. It is comprised of representatives from 160 countries and has 1,400 member organizations, which include governments, non-profit and non-governmental entities, partnerships with conservation groups, educational institutions, and local indigenous peoples.
In 1964, the IUCN created the Red List, which is the world’s most comprehensive list of the species at greatest risk. It is a critical indicator of the world’s biodiversity and is often referred to as the Barometer of Life. There are nine Red List Categories: 1) Extinct; 2) Extinct in the Wild; 3) Critically Endangered; 4) Endangered; 5) Vulnerable; 6) Near Threatened; 7) Least Concern; 8) Data Deficient; and 9) Not Evaluated.
Currently, there are more than 150,300 species on the IUCN Red List. More than 42,100 of these are threatened with extinction and are thus labeled as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered. These include 41% of amphibians, 37% of sharks and rays, 36% of reef-building corals, 34% of conifers, 27% of mammals, and 13% of birds.
When we do a search of the 400-plus parrot species on the Red List we find that:
- 20 are Critically Endangered (like the Blue-throated and Great Green Macaws)
- 26 are Endangered (like Congo and Timneh African Greys)
- 52 are Vulnerable (like the Military Macaw and Salmon-crested Cockatoo/Moluccan)
- 53 are Near Threatened (like the Goffins Cockatoo or Fischer’s Lovebird)
- 16 are Extinct (like the Carolina Parakeet)
- 1 is Extinct in the Wild (the Spix Macaw, however, there has been a recent small reintroduction in Brazil)
This is clear evidence that parrot conservation is important and essential if we want to prevent the loss of the parrot species we so appreciate! If you want to learn more about the work of the IUCN go to https://www.iucn.org/. Or if you want to check on the status of your favorite species, go to https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Parrots&searchType=species and type PARROTS or COCKATOO in the search bar.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora (CITES)
The Convention, known as CITES, covers fauna (animals) and flora (plants). CITES is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade does not threaten the survival of a plant or animal species. It was drafted at a 1963 meeting of the IUCN (known then as The World Conservation Union). It was finally approved by 80 countries in 1973 and began work in earnest in 1975.
Those who participate in CITES are known as the Parties (or nations, basically). There are 184 member Parties, click here to see the list. CITES does not replace national laws, but by joining the Convention a nation is committed to abiding by the CITES trade rules and agreements. Representatives meet every 2-3 years to review progress and update lists.
CITES has a working Secretariat hosted by the United Nations in Switzerland. It provides support in areas like compliance, enforcement, science, and capacity building. The Secretariat also serves as an information, coordination, and communication hub for the Parties.
CITES accords varying degrees of protection to more than 36,000 species of animals and plants by applying different trade provisions according to three Appendices, as follows:
APPENDIX I (3%) are species threatened with extinction. International commercial trade in wild-sourced animals or plants is completely banned, although international movements are permitted under certain rare circumstances. In Appendix I, 15% are animal species, 85% are plant. There are 52 parrot species on Appendix I, including the Congo African grey and the Moluccan cockatoo.
APPENDIX II (97%) are species not necessarily threatened with extinction but may become so unless trade is regulated. International commercial trade of wild-sourced animals or plants is allowed but controlled. In Appendix II, 65% are animal species, 35% are plant. Most parrot species are on Appendix II because the scale of trade has been so excessive.
APPENDIX III (>1%) are species subject to regulation within the jurisdiction of a specific country, or if that country needs help from another nation to prevent exploitation. In Appendix III, 95% are animal species, and 5% are plant. There are no parrots (Psittaciformes) listed on Appendix III anymore.
How is the protection provided? That is the important question! CITES can label the status of an animal or plant on the Appendices, but the nations committed to CITES and its trade rules are responsible for ensuring that:
1) any trade is legal and in accordance with all laws and regulations;
2) they make a science-based finding that any trade occurrence is sustainable and not detrimental to the survival of the species; and
3) Parties must ensure that trade can be traced through CITES permits.
You can look up an Appendix listing of a particular species here: https://www.speciesplus.net/
If you want to see how trade permits have been approved, you can search here: https://trade.cites.org/ About 10 million permits have been issued in the last decade, 78% for animals and 22% for plants. For example, hundreds of thousands of African greys (Psittacus) were exported between 2012 and 2022. African greys went from Appendix II to Appendix I in 2017 which helped limit trade permits. Only 17 permits to import or export greys were granted in 2022. Although the number of greys trapped has decreased overall, we know that it still continues because of ongoing illegal trafficking confiscations. This shows us that serious conservation programs, combined with more rigorous enforcement of CITES permits by all committed nations, are critically essential to many species and their survivability!
CITES requires nations to trade only in the 36,000 species agreed upon and listed. CITES also requires the Parties to enforce Convention agreements, to prohibit and penalize any trade violations, and to confiscate illegally traded specimens. Illegal trade undermines conservation and has a negative impact on the overall sustainability of a species. We know that some CITES-listed species are high-value and targeted by organized crime groups, like African grey parrots. Trafficking of wildlife needs to be treated as a serious crime and be prioritized in law enforcement work, along with other illegal trafficking laws. No country, agency, or organization can tackle illegal trade in wildlife alone, and the very existence of some of our psittacine species depends on it! You can learn more about the work of CITES at https://cites.org/eng
Lafeber’s GLOBAL PARROT grant for June and July goes to support the work of the IUCN and CITES. These global organizations document the status of the species that provide our planet with biodiversity; and seek to manage trade in a responsible way. However, it will be up to each of us to support individual conservation projects and protect the unique parrot species that we so love and appreciate!
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