CANU official Curt Richards
The Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) has revealed that efforts are being made to eradicate illegal exportation of endangered and other bird species.
This information was disclosed by CANU official Curt Richards on the heels of the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission’s exhibition on Friday at its Ganges Street, Sophia, Greater Georgetown office. The event aimed to raise awareness about wildlife conservation efforts.
Photos of birds hidden in curlers
According to Richards, CANU has encountered approximately five cases in 2023 of individuals attempting to smuggle birds while travelling. “As you are aware, CANU’s sole purpose is to look for drugs. However, while searching for drugs, we sometimes discover birds being concealed,” he revealed.
“We document and share these instances in our yearly report. Last year, there were approximately five cases where birds were found being used to smuggle drugs illegally. Whenever we locate someone attempting to export birds illegally, we consult the Guyana Police Force along with wildlife conservation authorities, he added.
Meanwhile, another CANU official, Nakasi Beaton explained that the birds were smuggled and noted the harm inflicted on the birds when they were being smuggled. According to her, persons would commonly give the birds tranquilisers, putting them to sleep for extended periods of time.
“What we found is that illegal exporters use tranquilisers to put the birds to sleep. When they are in that state, they place them in curlers and hide them on different parts of their bodies,” she explained.
She further stated that this posed a significant risk for the birds, as being asleep for long periods could be detrimental to their health.
“That’s how they ensure the birds don’t make noise, by tranquilising them. A popular method that female illegal exporters do is hide the birds under wigs, with the curlers containing the birds hidden beneath. On the other hand, males who are illegally exporting birds are commonly found with the birds inside of curlers strapped up at the side of their waist,” she added.
The two officials took the opportunity to encourage persons wishing to export any species of wildlife to obtain the necessary licences and permits to do so.
Wildlife trafficking is defined as the illegal trade of wild animals and plants. It has negative impacts on the populations of targeted species, ecosystem functions, and the economy.
In Guyana, songbirds are a frequent target for intended smugglers. In 2023, a number of persons were caught attempting to smuggle songbirds out of Guyana and were penalised in accordance with the provisions of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (2016). They were:
Harrigobin Lalta, who was fined $1 million after being found with 15 songbirds en route to Canada.
Seenarine Ramparshad, who was sentenced to six months in prison after being intercepted with three songbirds destined for New York City, while David Persaud was fined $300,00 for being in possession of six songbirds destined for New York City;
Deryck Singh, who was fined $750,000 after eight songbirds were found in his possession while travelling to Barbados;
Deochand Dhanrajo, who was fined $700,00 after being intercepted with six songbirds while heading to New York City; and Lakesha Brown, who was fined $500,000 when she was found with 15 songbirds while travelling to New York City.
In each case, the birds were concealed in a cruel manner. There is often a high mortality rate when the birds are removed from the containers/devices in which they are concealed. The Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission commended the work of CANU and the Guyana Police Force for their involvement in intercepting the smugglers. They looked forward to continued collaboration as they attempt to stamp out the scourge that is wildlife trafficking. (G2)
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