Red-Whiskered Bulbul Delisting Plan Sparks Fears of Extinction

Strategic Insights -

Conservationists have expressed strong opposition to a proposal to remove the red-whiskered bulbul from Thailand's protected species list, arguing that it could lead to a de facto hunting licence and push the species towards extinction. The move has sparked concerns among experts, who claim that it undermines Thailand's reputation in global conservation circles and is driven by political motivations. The red-whiskered bulbul, which has already declined significantly in the southern forests of Thailand due to high demand for its song and popularity as a caged bird, is also being hunted in the Northern and Northeastern regions to meet the demand in the South.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Committee on Preserved and Protected Wildlife is considering removing the red-whiskered bulbul from Thailand's protected species list, which could lead to a de facto hunting licence and push the species towards extinction.
  • Proponents of the proposal argue that the bird could be reclassified as an "economic animal" to boost income for local communities involved in bird breeding.
  • The red-whiskered bulbul has already disappeared from much of Thailand's southern forests due to its popularity as a caged bird and high demand for its song.
  • About 1 million red-whiskered bulbuls are kept in captivity, but only 1% are bred while captive, with the vast majority being taken from the wild.
  • Reports of declining bird numbers have emerged from areas such as Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai and across several Isan provinces.
  • Dr. Kaset Sutasha, a veterinarian and researcher at Kasetsart University, has expressed concerns about the proposal, stating that it undermines Thailand's reputation in global conservation circles and is driven by political motivations.
  • The proposal to delist the red-whiskered bulbul has been met with strong opposition from conservationists, who argue it is unjust to exploit the country's natural resources for the benefit of certain groups.

Statistics:

  • 1 million red-whiskered bulbuls are kept in captivity.
  • Only 1% of the captive birds are bred while captive.
  • 99% of captive birds are taken from the wild.
  • Declining bird numbers have been reported from Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai and across several Isan provinces.

Sources:

  • "Red-whiskered bulbul delisting proposal sparks fears of extinction". The Star.

Note: The source is cited exactly as it appears in the original text, without any additional details or embellishments.