(MY) Lost Birds of Paradise

[Guest guest]

Birds LOST in paradise - New Straits Times

24 Dec 2006

Jessica Lim

 

The magnificent bird of paradise is falling prey to those who believe

its oil can make any woman they desire rush into their arms, writes

JESSICA LIM

 

Feeling restless, Bob, a magnificent bird of paradise, joined the

brood of hormone-crazed males who had gathered to wolf-whistle the

neighbourhood girls.

 

He was just about to to begin his elaborate mating dance when he

realised his feet were stuck fast to the branch.

 

 

 

Poor Bob had just fallen victim to bird-lime, an adhesive slathered

onto trees by poachers who take advantage of the birds' unique habit

of congregating on a single tree during mating season.

 

Bob struggled in a wild panic for hours. By the time the poachers came

to extricate him and his unlucky friends, Bob's legs were broken. He

was half dead from exhaustion.

 

And it wasn't long before Bob met the same fate of hundreds of his

brothers before him — killed, preserved with their breathtaking

plumage fanned out, and smuggled across borders into the hands of

Malaysians who seem to be increasingly clamouring for its alleged

magical properties.

 

Birds of paradise (Cenderawasih) are only found in East Indonesia and

Papua New Guinea. A totally protected species, its commercial trade is

prohibited.

 

Those found in possession of the birds or parts of it could be fined a

maximum of RM3,000, jailed a maximum of three years, or both, under

Section 68 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

 

An Internet search yielded several local websites which claimed they

had a supply of birds of paradise-derived products, like its oil and

feathers.

 

One site priced each bird at RM35,000. Feathers were going for between

RM100 and RM1,000, depending on size.

 

Displaying the feathers at home, said the site, would protect its

dwellers from harm. Sticking it up in places of business would

increase sales, and putting one in the wallet could earn respect.

 

A phone call to a number listed on a website found a supplier more

than willing to discuss the merits of his products.

 

He said he would need three days to prepare the oil, during which he

would, among other things, chant several scriptures over it.

 

After the caller banks in the money, he said, he would send the vial

of oil over to the address given via Poslaju.

 

The caller's wife, the salesman went on, would find him irresistible.

 

He added that he had a long line of satisfied customers who could

testify to the oil's potency. The price tag was RM177.77 for the oil

in a bottle the size of your little finger.

 

The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) says the

syndicates which smuggle in these birds and its associated products,

appear to be getting bigger, bolder and better.

 

The most recent seizure, and the largest so far, was carried out on Dec 4.

 

Eleven Indonesians were caught with 10 preserved birds, leading the

department to believe that smuggling syndicates had stepped up in

scale and become more " professional " .

 

Six were charged for the offence.

 

 

 

Perhilitan enforcement division deputy director, Celescoriano Razond,

said that in the four previously recorded seizures, the number of

preserved birds never exceeded five, and the people caught seemed to

be running small-time operations.

 

" But during the recent raid, we could see from the travel passes that

there is a routine. Some had one day left on their passes, some a

week, and others up to a month, " said Razond.

 

" And the smugglers come in big groups, maybe 30 to 40 people. "

 

The department's investigations showed that the birds were sold for

RM1,500 each.

 

Razond added that the department believed the smugglers took turns to

bring in the goods from Pulau Batam via Johor.

 

If left unchecked, Razond said, the illegal trade of the beautiful

birds could become a serious problem for the country.

 

Because they are only found in a small geographical region, wildlife

conservationists fear the rising demand for birds of paradise could

seriously affect its wild populations.

 

" Up until two years ago, reports of birds of paradise in Malaysia were

rare, if there were any at all, " said Traffic Southeast Asia regional

programme officer Chris Shepherd.

 

" Now we're seeing local advertisements blatantly saying they're for

sale and seizures getting more frequent. It would appear that the

trade is on the rise. "