Rare birds saved from illegal trade
Candace Freeman
23 January 2003
Gauteng Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Land Affairs MEC Mary Metcalfe is expected to finally hand over seven rare African Parrots to the Johannesburg Zoo on Friday.
The birds were confiscated from a foiled illegal smuggling at Johannesburg International Airport in November last year.
The illegal delivery consisted of five African grey and two Jardine parrots, both of which are listed as endangered species in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The birds originate from the Democratic Republic of Congo and because of a trade ban, they are not allowed to enter South Africa.
Michael Falls of the Nature Conservation Special Investigation Unit said an attempt to smuggle the birds was foiled after they received a tip off from airport workers.
"After receiving the tip-off, our unit at the airport arrested a South African flight engineer, who was subsequently
convicted in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court under Prohibited Acts with Endangered Species, in terms of the Nature Conservation Ordinance."
Mark du Plessis pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to a R20 000 fine or 18 months in prison.
"Because he pleaded guilty and assisted us in our investigations his sentence was reduced to nine months in prison or a R10 000 fine, which he subsequently paid," Falls explained.
Meanwhile, the Nature Conservation Special Investigation Unit last year investigated 10 incidents of illegal trade in rare or endangered bird species at Johannesburg International Airport and seized over 150 birds.
According to Kgomo Molefe of the agriculture, conservation, environment and land affairs department, South Africa has a massive illegal wildlife trade worth millions of rands.
"If tough action is not taken, illegal trade will negatively affect the economy and threaten the survival of the endangered species," he said.
The department, he pointed out, was determined to take tougher action against illicit trade in wildlife and make sure that offenders were prosecuted.
Source: BuaNews
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