International Trade of CITES Listed Bird Species in China

International Trade of Birds in China
Photos of CITES listed birds trade in China, including red-billed leiothrix, common hill myna, silver-eared mesia, black-and-white munia, Java sparrow, and lovebirds; wildlife management authorities in South Africa, Tanzania, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Guyana; measures to control bird trade; and poaching and illegal trade in wildlife.
International Trade of CITES Listed Bird Species in China

Hello everyone,

I wanted to share my email address and affiliations with you all, as I believe it’s important to establish connections and collaborations within the scientific community. My name is Jiang Zhangguang, and I am affiliated with the Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology at the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Endangered Species Scientific Commission of People’s Republic of China.

My research focuses on the conservation of endangered species, with a particular emphasis on the ecological and behavioral aspects of animal populations. Through my work, I hope to contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and the sustainable management of natural resources.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss potential collaborations, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected]. I look forward to connecting with fellow researchers and advancing our collective understanding of the natural world.

Best regards,

Jiang Zhangguang

International Trade of CITES Listed Bird Species in China

• Linlin Li,
• Zhigang Jiang

• Published: February 19, 2014
• https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0085012

Figures

Abstract

The trade of wild birds for commercial purposes can have a devastating impact on wild bird populations. To prevent species from being threatened by international trade, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulates the trade of species listed in its appendices. China has a unique avian fauna with many Important Bird Areas and critically endangered bird species, yet it used to be one of the major trading countries in the world for wild birds. The question arises: what is China’s role in the global wild bird trade, and what insights can be gained from trade records to improve the management of this trade in the country?

To address these questions, we retrieved and analyzed international trade records of CITES-listed bird species in China from 1981 to 2010, as recorded in the CITES Trade Database maintained by the United Nations Environment Program and World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). Our findings showed that the international trade of live birds in China peaked during the late 1990s, then declined to pre-surge levels in a few years. This suggests that the dynamics of wild bird trade may be influenced by governmental policies and the outbreak of avian influenza during that period.

We also found that parrots were the most frequently traded CITES Appendix-listed birds in China, and most of them were exotic species not native to the country. Additionally, birds were mainly traded for commercial purposes. While most exotic birds in trade were captive-bred, the majority of Chinese birds traded internationally were captured from the wild. Given that many bird species in international trade are threatened with extinction, China should take stricter measures to regulate the import of wild-captured birds and collaborate with the countries of origin to avoid unsustainable harvesting of wild birds. It is crucial for China to conduct population surveys on domestic bird species that are significant in international trade and make conservation decisions based on their population status.

Furthermore, we recommend encouraging more scientific researchers to participate in the wildlife trade management to prevent misreporting of trade data or biased analyses of trade records. In summary, our study highlights the need for improved management of the wild bird trade in China and underscores the importance of collaboration and conservation efforts to protect bird species threatened by commercial trade.

The following citation refers to a 2014 study conducted by Li and Jiang on the international trade of CITES-listed bird species in China. The study was published in PLoS ONE and can be accessed through the following link: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0085012.

The editor of this post is Dirk Steinke, who is a well-known researcher in the field of biodiversity. He is affiliated with the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario at the University of Guelph, Canada. His work focuses on the study of molecular biodiversity and the development of innovative methods to assess and monitor biodiversity.

Steinke’s research interests are particularly relevant in today’s world, as biodiversity loss has become a major global concern. His work aims to better understand the underlying causes of biodiversity loss and to develop effective strategies to mitigate its impacts. Through his research, Steinke has contributed significantly to the field of biodiversity conservation, and his work has been widely recognized and respected by his peers.

As the editor of this post, Steinke brings his wealth of knowledge and expertise to ensure that the content is accurate, informative, and relevant to the field of biodiversity. With his guidance, readers can be confident that the information presented in this post is based on the latest research and reflects the current state of knowledge in the field.

In conclusion, Steinke’s role as the editor of this post highlights the importance of collaboration and the sharing of knowledge in advancing our understanding of biodiversity. Through the contributions of experts like Steinke, we can work towards developing effective solutions to protect and conserve the incredible diversity of life on our planet.

The article was received on March 16, 2013, accepted on November 28, 2013, and published on February 19, 2014.

The article referenced in this post is subject to copyright laws and is credited to Li and Jiang, with publication in 2014. However, the authors have made it an open-access article, allowing for unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium. This is made possible through the Creative Commons Attribution License, which enables others to share and adapt the work, provided that the original author and source are properly cited.

This open-access approach to research is becoming increasingly popular as it promotes the sharing of knowledge and the advancement of science as a whole. It allows researchers from around the world to access important research findings, regardless of financial or institutional barriers. It also provides authors with greater exposure for their work and increases the potential impact of their findings.

The Creative Commons Attribution License is just one of several types of licenses that exist within the realm of open-access publishing. Others include Creative Commons licenses that allow for non-commercial or derivative use, as well as licenses that provide for more restrictive use, such as requiring permission for any use or distribution.

By choosing to make their article an open-access publication, Li and Jiang have made a significant contribution to the scientific community. They have made their research available to anyone who may find it useful, and in doing so, have helped to promote scientific progress and innovation.

In conclusion, the use of open-access publishing is an important trend in the world of scientific research. It allows for greater accessibility to research findings, promotes collaboration, and ultimately helps to advance our understanding of the world around us. The Creative Commons Attribution License, in particular, is an important tool that enables researchers to share their work with the wider community, and its benefits are clear.

The Key Program of Knowledge Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (KSCX2-EW-Z-4) provided financial support for this study. However, the funders did not have any involvement in the study’s design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

The authors have stated that they have no competing interests.

Introduction

Biodiversity loss is a major concern in the world, which is caused by various factors such as habitat destruction, over-exploitation, introduction of exotic species, and global climate change. Wildlife trade, in particular, is one of the main causes of the exploitation of biological resources. Unregulated trade can lead to over-exploitation and eventually drive species to extinction. To regulate international trade of wildlife, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was established in 1975. CITES aims to control international trade of wild species listed in its appendices to prevent them from being threatened by trade. China became a party to the CITES in 1981, and its national CITES management authority is responsible for reporting the sources and trade purposes of each trade of CITES Appendixes listed species. The trade of wild-captured species or commercial trade of CITES Appendixes listed species is under more strict control than others.

Human beings rely on more than 5,000 bird species worldwide, half of which are used directly. About 1,500 of these bird species are registered in CITES Appendices. Red List Indices (RLIs) have been used by researchers to assess the threats to bird species worldwide, and the results reveal that these threats have persisted since 1988. The bird trade for pets has been a major driver of international trade and is a significant source of pressure on bird populations. China is the most populous country in the world and has a long-standing history of bird trade. Simultaneously, China has a large number of bird species on the IUCN Red List. Currently, 156 bird species native to China are included in the CITES Appendices. This paper examines the role of China in the international bird trade and the insights that can be derived from the management of global bird trade by the country. This research analyzes the major bird species in trade, the primary trade countries, the volume of trade, the trends of trade, and trade purposes concerning international trade of CITES Appendix-listed birds in China. The findings not only contribute to international bird trade management but also aid in bird resource monitoring, restoration, and conservation.

Methods

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulates the international trade of wildlife to prevent over-exploitation and extinction of species threatened by trade. The CITES Trade Database, managed by the UNEP-WCMC, contains over 10 million records of wildlife trade from 1975 to date. The database includes information on bird trade, which refers to the international trade of live birds, bodies, feathers, eggs, specimens, and more. These records are derived from annual reports submitted by the parties of CITES. The database categorizes specimen sources into nine categories and trade purposes into 12 categories. However, the records may not be entirely accurate due to limitations in scientific and management capability among different countries. For instance, units of eggs, feathers, and other specimens may be missing or inconsistent between import and export countries. To address this, the authors of this study focused on analyzing live birds in international trade in China from 1981 to 2010. They summarized the trade volume of different trade purposes and specimen sources to identify which bird species may be affected by legal international trade. The findings may aid in international bird trade management, bird resource monitoring, restoration, and conservation efforts.

Results

An Overview of International Live Bird Trade in China

Between 1981 and 2010, China exported over one million live birds and imported over 80,000 during the same period (as shown in Figure 1). The export quantity of birds from China varied between a few individuals to a thousand before 1995 and then rose quickly, with around 280,000 live birds being exported in 1999. However, the export trade volume of live birds decreased continuously until 2005. In contrast, the trade volume of live birds imported to China exceeded the export trade volume of live birds from China after 2004.

Species’ Composition of Live Birds in International Trade

The species makeup of live birds in China’s international trade fluctuated annually. Unlike the export and import volumes of live birds in China, the number of species imported by the country was higher than the number exported (Figure 2). The number of bird species imported by China gradually increased until 2005 before sharply declining. However, it started increasing again afterward. The number of bird species exported from China did not change significantly when compared to the number of bird species imported by the country.

Between 1981 and 2010, China exported almost 90 different species of birds, spanning Pasittaciformes, Passeriformes, Falconiformes, and other orders. While the majority of the exported birds were parrots and passerines, all other bird species combined only made up a fraction of a percent of the total bird trade volume (Table 1). Within the parrot family, Fisher’s lovebird (Agapornis fischeri), peach-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis), and yellow-collared lovebird (Agapornis personatus) were the most frequently traded species, making up 57.9% of all live birds exported. Major passerine species exported from China included the red-billed leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea), Java sparrow (Lonchura oryzivora), common hill myna (Gracula religiosa), silver-eared mesia (Leiothrix argentauris), and black-and-white munia (Lonchura bicolor) (Table 2). It is important to note that the trade in wild birds is a serious issue with significant conservation implications, and therefore must be closely monitored and regulated.

During the period of 1981 to 2010, China imported more than 200 species of birds, which included Psittaciformes, Ciconiiformes, Piciformes, Anseriformes, and many others. Parrots were the most commonly imported birds, with the same trend seen in the export trade (Table 3). The birds of Ciconiiformes and other species accounted for 5.65% and 2.70% of the total bird imports, respectively (Table 1).

Import Countries and Export Countries of Live Birds in International Trade of China

Based on the data available from the CITES Trade Database, the countries that imported and exported live birds with China varied each year throughout the period of 1981 to 2010 (as shown in Figure 3). Over 70 different countries or regions were involved in the bird trade with China during this time period.

The primary destinations for live bird exports from China are Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the United States of America (as shown in Figure 4a). Meanwhile, live birds are mostly imported to China from Africa and Southeast Asia (as shown in Figure 4b). The Netherlands, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the United States of America were the major trading partners for birds with China, both in terms of exports and imports. Spain received more than 200,000 live individual birds, which accounted for 19.62% of the total bird export volume during the study period. Half of the live birds imported by China were from South Africa, and most of the birds traded were parrots.

The countries that traded live birds with China and the number of individuals traded are listed in the following tables for major importers and exporters (Table a for importers and Table b for exporters). The country codes used in the tables are AE for United Arab Emirates, BE for Belgium, CU for Cuba, DE for Germany, ES for Spain, FR for France, GR for Greece, GY for Guyana, HK for Hong Kong, ID for Indonesia, IT for Italy, JP for Japan, KW for Kuwait, MY for Malaysia, NL for Netherlands, PH for Philippines, PT for Portugal, SA for Saudi Arabia, SG for Singapore, TH for Thailand, TW for Taiwan, TZ for Tanzania, US for the United States of America, ZA for South Africa, and OT for other countries that traded live birds with China.

Trade Purposes and Sources of Live Birds in International Trade

Live bird trading is a common practice around the world, and China is one of the countries with a significant presence in this market. According to available data, from 1981 to 2010, commercial trade accounted for 99.8% of bird exports from China and 92% of bird imports to China. The majority of live birds in both export and import trades were from “Captive-bred” sources. In non-commercial trades, 72% of the birds imported to China were from “Captive-bred” sources, while 82% of birds exported from China were from “Captive-bred” sources.

Interestingly, the purpose of the trades also differed significantly. Out of all bird trades, 6.8% were for the purpose of “Zoo,” whereas only 1.2% were labeled for other purposes. Additionally, since 2001, most birds exported from China were captive bred, with the percentage of wild-caught birds in all birds exported from China decreasing from 64% during the period of 1991 to 2000 to 24% during the period of 2001 to 2010. This decline was significant, with a t-test indicating a p-value of 0.047.

The data also revealed that the major countries traded birds with China were the Netherlands, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the United States of America. More than 200,000 live individual birds were exported to Spain, accounting for 19.62% of the whole bird export volume during the study period. In terms of bird species, parrots were the most commonly traded birds in both export and import trades, with Fisher’s lovebird, peach-faced lovebird, and yellow-collared lovebird accounting for 57.9% of total live birds exported from China.

Overall, these findings shed light on the patterns and trends of live bird trading in China during the period from 1981 to 2010. They reveal the dominance of captive-bred birds in both export and import trades, the importance of the “Zoo” trade, and the significant role of parrots in live bird trading.

Discussion

Starting in the late 1990s, the international bird trade in China experienced fluctuations, with the majority of birds traded being live commercial birds. After 2003, China’s import volume, number of bird species, and number of countries involved in bird imports exceeded those of bird exports. This was similar to the trend in the international snake trade in China, where China changed from being a net exporter to a net importer of certain snake species since the 1990s. The National Wildlife Management Authority in China imposed a suspension on the trade in snake species, resulting in a sharp decline in both imports and exports of snakes since 2004. National-level control measures and CITES regulations have helped to control the previously unsustainable utilization of snakes in China. Similarly, the international bird trade in China has also decreased significantly, thanks to the combination of CITES regulations and national regulations.

The majority of live birds traded in China were for pet purposes, which is consistent with the global bird trade. Parrots and passerines were common in the pet trade, and lovebirds (Agapornis spp.) accounted for the largest proportion of bird exports from China. However, their import volume was much lower. Almost all lovebirds were captive-bred in bird farms in China and traded for commercial purposes as pets. The breeding of wild animals was seen as a way to diversify animal husbandry in the country. Lovebirds are endemic to several African countries and used to have a much larger range. In the late 1990s, the Chinese government adopted a new policy to cultivate exotic bird species, and these parrots were imported to China and commonly bred in captivity on bird farms in the country. The idea that breeding wild animals is an effective way to relieve exploitation pressure on wild populations of those species is still a topic of debate, but there have been successful cases of captive breeding of endangered species for wildlife conservation. Although the significant export of lovebirds from China may not necessarily pose a threat to wild populations of lovebirds in their natural habitats, as only captive-bred individuals were in international trade, the commercial breeding of exotic birds for international trade generates revenue for Chinese bird breeders and traders.

The trade of live birds between China and other countries has been a topic of concern in recent years due to its impact on wild bird populations. A study showed that major importers of live birds from China were Europe, Japan, and the U.S.A. with most of the imported birds being parrots endemic to tropical African countries, South-East Asia, and South American countries. However, many wild populations of these bird species were declining in their natural habitats and needed more conservation efforts.

The African grey parrot was the most imported bird species by China, and more than three-quarters of them were from South Africa. The good news is that most of the African grey parrots imported by China were captive-bred, but the rest imported from other regions were mainly wild-captured, which could lead to further decline in their wild populations due to hunting and other human activities.

As one of the main countries for consuming wildlife, China needs to take more measures to control the import trade of wild-captured birds in the future. This could include more stringent regulations, better enforcement of existing laws, and greater public awareness of the importance of conserving wild bird populations. By taking these measures, China can help to protect wild bird populations while also benefiting from the economic benefits of the captive-breeding of exotic bird species.

The bird trade in China of black-and-white munia and Java sparrow followed a similar pattern to that of lovebirds, but there were no records of imports of these birds. Since China is not their native range, they were captive-bred and traded commercially. Black-and-white munia was once common in the wild and had a stable population, so it was removed from the CITES Appendices in 2007. The main local passerine species in trade were red-billed leiothrix, common hill myna, and silver-eared mesia, all of which have large geographic ranges. Between 1995 and 2000, about 300,000 individuals of these species were captured from the wild and exported from China, but there are no reports on their population trends after this significant international trade, although some researchers believe that the populations are declining. To prevent overexploitation through international trade, these three bird species were listed in CITES Appendix II in 1997. In 1999, the State Forestry Administration of China implemented a policy that prohibits hunting, selling, or exporting wild-captured birds, except for scientific purposes within the country. This policy has contributed to the decrease in bird export trade volume from China since 2000.

The transmission of diseases among wild animals is a factor that influences international wildlife trade, as wild animals may serve as reservoirs of unknown pathogens that can be transmitted through trade [44], [45], [46], [47]. In the early 2000s, an outbreak of avian influenza occurred in several Asian countries and had significant impacts on international bird trade [48], [49]. As a result, major trade countries and regions, such as the European Union and Vietnam, implemented stricter measures to limit or halt wild bird trade with other countries [49], [50], [51]. This may have also played a role in the trade of live birds in China during that period.

The importation of live birds into China has been a significant concern due to its impact on global biodiversity. In recent years, there has been a decline in the number of birds imported by China, and this trend can be attributed to the efforts of wildlife management authorities in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Guyana.

These countries are biodiversity hot-spots, with many endemic bird species, making them an important source of parrots in the global pet trade. Unfortunately, illegal wildlife trade and poaching have been prevalent in these countries, and habitat degradation has also threatened local bird populations.

China has imported more than 40,000 live birds from South Africa since 1998, with 99.7% of the imported birds being used for commercial trade. Most of these birds were captive-bred, unlike the birds imported from Tanzania, where 83.7% were wild-captured and traded for commercial purposes.

The decrease in bird imports can be attributed to the efforts of wildlife management authorities in these countries, who have become aware of the situation and made significant progress in bird conservation. They have taken measures to control bird trade, including the prohibition of hunting, selling, or exporting birds captured from the wild except for scientific purposes in the country.

These efforts have resulted in a decrease in the number of birds imported by China, and it is hoped that the trend will continue in the future. The conservation of wild bird populations is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the long-term survival of these species.

The trade data from the CITES Trade Database does not always match with the data reported by signatory nations of the CITES agreement. Additionally, the database only includes legal wildlife trade information and may not represent the actual situation worldwide. The database relies on self-reporting by countries and lacks external verification, which may lead to biased or false data submitted for political or economic reasons. Furthermore, due to the prevalence of poaching and illegal trade, the analyses may underestimate the actual international trade statistics. Despite these limitations, the data still provides useful information on CITES-listed bird trade in China.

Based on these findings, it is recommended that China take additional measures to improve wildlife trade management. These measures could include developing methods to differentiate between captive-bred and wild animals, conducting field surveys to monitor wildlife resources and the population dynamics of CITES-listed species, strengthening CITES law enforcement cooperation with other nations, and encouraging more researchers to contribute their expertise to wildlife trade management.

Acknowledgments

We express our gratitude to Dr. Chunlin Li, Dr. Xiaoge Ping, Dr. Yan Zeng, Mr. Zhibing Meng, and all others who contributed to this research.

Author Contributions

Original text is written in scientific language and describes author contributions in a research paper. Here’s a possible rephrased version:

The experiments were conceived and designed by ZJ, and performed by LL and ZJ. Data analysis was carried out by LL and ZJ, while the contributions of LL, ZJ, and others included providing reagents, materials, and analysis tools. LL and ZJ wrote the paper.

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Original text is written in scientific language and describes author contributions in a research paper. Here’s a possible rephrased version:

The experiments were conceived and designed by ZJ, and performed by LL and ZJ. Data analysis was carried out by LL and ZJ, while the contributions of LL, ZJ, and others included providing reagents, materials, and analysis tools. LL and ZJ wrote the paper.