Illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is considered the second biggest threat to species survival globally, with the smuggling of live Indonesian wildlife to the Philippines being widely documented for more than three decades. Dealings have largely involved endemic animals to Indonesia, particularly parrots and other avian species. 

This high demand for Indonesian parrots in the pet bird trade has driven drastic declines to countless parrot species, and has strengthened the call for stricter laws, enforcement to address legal loopholes, and interventions from the conservation community. This project will bring forth data-driven recommendations for swift and appropriate action for the illegal parrot trade, and significantly contribute to the fulfillment of the country’s international obligations on biodiversity, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Despite restrictions prohibiting the wildlife trade in the Philippines without permits, the smuggling, unregulated sale, and illegal export of live Indonesian wildlife from the country remains widely documented for more than three decades. Recorded dealings have largely involved endemic animals to Indonesia, particularly Indonesian parrots and other avian species. 

In 2022 alone, a total of 763 endemic birds meant to be translocated have been seized by the Indonesian Ministry for Environment with assistance from Burung Indonesia. This high demand for Indonesian parrots in the pet bird trade has driven drastic declines to countless parrot species, and has strengthened the call for stricter laws, enforcement to address legal loopholes, and interventions from the conservation community. 

The smuggling of live Indonesian wildlife to the Philippines has been widely documented for more than three decades. Dealings have largely involved live animals endemic to Indonesia, particularly parrots and other birds, reptiles, and mammals. The demand for parrots in the pet bird trade has driven declines of many parrot species in Indonesia.