Nigeria grabs more than 1,600 birds in a wildlife traffic bust

The Nigeria Customs Agency says it has seized more than 1,600 birds for Kuwait, in what it described as the “largest” bust in the country of the country.

Parrots at Col Annul and Green and Yellow Canaries were intercepted at Lagos International Airport, by Nigeria’s Customs Service (NCS) on July 31, the agency announced on Tuesday.

This is the “greatest” in number, said NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada, in a country where wildlife traffic is frequent.

The porous borders of Nigeria, widespread corruption and weak application have made it a key transit center for ivory, pangolin scales and other wildlife products.

The NCS said that he had been able to intercept the birds by routine checks.

The press release indicates that the shipment did not have the documentation and the required permits. Although birds are common, they must have appropriate papers.

An investigation is underway to find and continue those responsible for the illicit cargo, he said, adding that birds would be given to the National Parks Service for rehabilitation before being released in the wild.

Although the seizure was carried out on July 31, it was not shared publicly on Tuesday so as not to “endanger the investigation, said Mr. Maiwada.

He added that most Nigeria tampered animals are intended for Asia.

Nigeria is a signatory to the International Trade Convention for Species Threatened with Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) – the international treaty that governs the trade of rare plants and animals – but remains a center for illegal wildlife traffic.

The trade in illegal wild animals generates $ 7 to $ 23 billion (5-17 billion pounds sterling) per year, according to Animal Conservation Charity Birdlife International.

Single birds and canaries are in great demand in the world trade in the trafficking due to popular singing competitions, said the charitable organization.

While rare species of wild parrots can earn $ 1,000 or more.