About Indonesian Parrots
More than 85 parrot species live in Indonesia. 14 of which are protected by law as they are threatened by extinction. The area that is rich with parrots is the Wallace line covering the islands of Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, and Maluku. Four parrot species categorized as endangered are the red-and-blue lory (Eos histrio), the yellow-crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea), the blue-napped parrot (Tanygnathus lucioinensis), and the blacked-winged lory (Eos cyanogenia).
All parrots (Psittaciformes spp) are listed in appendix II CITES, except the ones listed appendices I and III. The parrot species listed in Appendix I are Goffin cockatoo (Cacatua goffini), Salmon-crested cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis), yellow-crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea), palm cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) and the red-and-blue lory (Eos histrio). The birds listed in the appendix I CITES mean that it is prohibited to trade the wild-caught internationally, unless they are captive bred. The international trade of the birds in Appendix I is strictly regulated.
In 2002, ProFauna Indonesia launched an investigation report called Flying Without Wings uncovering the facts of the parrot trade in North Maluku. According to the report, more than 15,000 parrots were caught from the wild in North Maluku and traded in the hub in Ternate City. Six years later, ProFauna launched a report called Pirated Parrots published in June 2008.
In Pirated Parrots, it was reported that there were more than 10,000 parrots caught in North Halmahera, North Maluku Province, for trade. Not only sold for domestic markets, the birds were also smuggled to the Philippines. The parrots caught from North Halmahera included the white cockatoo (Cacatua alba), chattering lory (Lorius garrulus), eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus), and violet-necked lory (Eos squamata). In fact, the eclectus parrot is protected by law and the trade is illegal.
Those parrots were smuggled to the Philippines through sea routes. Due to the long transportation, poor poaching method, and bad handling, the death rate was pretty high, 40% The trade of the protected parrots violate the Indonesian wildlife law. According to the Law Number 5 year 1990 concerning the Conservation of the Natural Resources and the Ecosystem, the trade of protected wildlife is prohibited and offenders are liable to a maximum of five year prison term and a maximum fine of 100 millions Indonesia Rupiah.