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Exotic wild birds may start reentering the United States market as the FWS begins approving 

 foreign countries' sustainable use management plans. United States aviculturists must take 

 advantage of this time to begin promoting the purchase of captive-bred, instead of wild-caught 

 birds. Labeling, recordkeeping, and informing the public about the various methods of labeling 

 is an integral part of this effort and will help aviculturists to establish themselves as a source of 

 quality birds. 



Cooperative Breeding Programs 



Permits for exemptions under the WBCA can be issued by the FWS in accordance with Section 

 112 to allow for the importation of otherwise prohibited species, if the FWS has determined 

 that the importation will not threaten the species' survival. In order to apply for a permit, 

 aviculturists must be part of a cooperative breeding program. Some aviculturists mistakenly 

 believe that the approval requirements for such programs are impossible to meet and must be 

 weakened substantially. 



Exemptions have been granted under this section of the WBCA. However, only eleven 

 applications for the approval of cooperative breeding programs have been submitted to the 

 FWS. Of the eleven, five have been approved, four are pending, one was abandoned and one 

 rejected. In some cases, applicants did not submit all of the required information. 

 Consequently, the review process was delayed because the FWS had to wait until the remaining 

 information was submitted before proceeding. Since only eleven aviculturists have submitted 

 applications for the approval of cooperative breeding programs, it is difficult to understand 

 how they can be critical of the process. 



Aviculturists have made erroneous claims that the application process for cooperative breeding 

 exemptions are simply too involved and that is why only eleven applications for the approval of 

 such programs have been submitted. However, the majority of the requirements are measures 

 that aviculturists should already be undertaking, if they intend to maintain healthy captive 

 populations. Managing for genetic diversity necessitates a level of cooperation among 

 aviculturists that has never been present before. Hesitancy or an unwillingness to cooperate 

 and form species-specific breeding groups will eliminate any hope of achieving sound genetic 

 management of captive-species. 



Aviculturists must be willing to share the guardianship of captive birds for breeding purposes 

 and to organize studbooks. They should continually be on the watch for problems that can 

 threaten the genetic integrity of captive populations. Furthermore, if they intend to manage 

 for genetic diversity, then they need to label birds and maintain records in order to identify 

 individual .specimens and their pedigrees." The aviculture community must work 

 collaboratively and be willing to communicate about the availability of birds for breeding. 



Given the vast number of birds that are now in captivity, it is time for aviculturists to move on 

 and establish genetically well-managed breeding programs." Instead of depending on exotic 



Toft. Caiherine. 1992. "Genetics of Captive Propagation (Pans I and II)." BIRDWORLD. 

 Toft. Catherine. 1992. "Genetics of Captive Propagation (Parts I and II)." BIRDWORLD. 



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