101 



species of commercial importance are already represented in sufficient numbers in captivity to 

 constitute a viable gene pool under active, cooperative management (30 to 50 birds per species). 

 Species with fewer individuals in captivity are obviously not of commercial importance. Instead 

 of supplementing captive birds with wild imports, private aviculturists must begin to adjust their 

 practices toward the goal of self-sustaining captive populations, including better coordination of 

 studbooks and the development of cooperative programs to maintain genetically viable captive 

 gene pools. Humane care of captive birds, from the transporting and holding of birds in export 

 and import centers (e.g., quarantine facilities) to the housing of birds in commercial breeding 

 facilities, must be a priority. 



7. Captive breeding of exotic birds as a conservation strategy should be pursued only as a last 

 resort, and only as part of internationally recognized and structured programs. The promotion 

 of captive breeding as conservation by aviculturists is sometimes a rationalization for keeping 

 exotic birds in captivity in private collections. Captive breeding for conservation should be fully 

 integrated with preservation and reintroduction efforts, conducted within the native range of the 

 species whenever possible, and internationally coordinated. Aviculturists committed to 

 conservation could play a significant role in future reintroduction programs if adequate control 

 over disease threats can be achieved, and the ownership and control of birds is given up to a 

 central authority. However, many problems are associated with the use of captive breeding for 

 conservation, as detailed in the APC position papa on this topic, so this technique should be 

 used with great discretion. 



THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF TRADE ARE GREAT BUT DIFnCULT TO ACHIEVE 



If it is implemented properly and conservatively, sustainable harvesting may provide 

 advantages for conservationists, aviculturists, the pet industry, and local peoples. Conservation- 

 ists could gain by having healthy populations of wild parrots, and by transmitting economic value 

 to habitats to help conserve them in their natural states. This would benefit a broad array of 

 plant and animal species besides parrots. For example, if parrots can be sustainably harvested 

 from tropical rain forests, this would provide another commodity which might help to make 

 extractive reserves more economically valuable than forest land cleared for timber harvest or 

 cattie production. Sustained harvesting of many species of parrots will require that substantial 

 areas of land be maintained as mature forest Aviculturists could purchase new genetic stock for 

 their breeding programs from birds harvested sustainably, although cooperative management 

 programs could accomplish the same thing for nearly all species currently in captivity. The pet 

 industry would have a steady but small inflow of legally imported birds already conditioned to 

 captivity. Finally, the profits from these programs could be directed to the local people in need 

 of ways to support themselves, and the economy of nations that are trying to develop. 



Realizing the benefits of trade requires a degree of control over harvesting that is difficult 

 and expensive to achieve. Solving the biological problems associated with sustained harvest of 

 birds may be easier than solving some of the social and political problems. Particular problems 

 for sustainable harvesting programs are posed by the illegal laundering of birds by personnel in 

 these programs, poaching of birds by people outside of these program, the development of 

 reliable marking systems to identify legal birds, and the temptation to overharvest to make more 

 profit Without strong controls over harvesting programs that are enforced, attempts at sustained 

 harvesting could increase conservation problems rather than solve them. 



