The wild bird pet trade in Guyana

Wildlife trade is profitable, with birds being one of the most traded groups globally. The pet trade threatens various bird species, and so understanding the intricate network and functioning of associated market chains is essential for conservation. Wildlife sales in Guyana generate over US$4.1 million annually from exports alone. In this paper we explore Guyana’s wild bird trade, analyzing its commercial dynamics, key participants, and their impact on sustainable use of wild avian populations. Through interviews with 107 stakeholders in the major trapping regions of Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, and the capital city of Georgetown, the trade’s structure is uncovered, revealing a sophisticated operation encompassing numerous species. The most frequently trapped are Sporophila angolensis, S. crassirostris, and S. plumbea, with Amazona amazonica and A. ochrocephala being predominant in exports. The network includes local trappers, middlemen, retailers, and exporters. At least 770 trappers were identified in Guyana’s hinterlands, providing birds to 120 intermediaries for sale in the capital. The study quantified the annual trapping rates per species, revealing some communities shifting toward ecotourism, with trappers perceiving a 60% increase in Piciformes and Psittaciformes populations over three years. However, certain Passeriformes populations, sought after for song contests, are perceived to be declining. Moreover, regulation enforcement is lax, with only a third of trappers licensed. The research underscores the imperative of a balanced strategy that regulates trade, encourages sustainable methods, and supports ecotourism. This multifaceted approach is necessary to conserve bird populations while meeting the social, economic, and cultural needs of local communities. It is not just about curtailing the trade but transforming it to benefit both wildlife and human livelihoods, ensuring long-term viability for both. The findings are a call to action for policy makers, conservationists, and communities to collaboratively forge a path that respects nature’s balance while fostering economic stability.

Amazona amazonica · Amazona ochrocephala · bird trapping · Ecotourism · Guyana · local livelihoods · pet trade · Sporophila · sustainable use of wildlife · trappers · trapping rate · wildlife trade regulation · Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management · Wildlife Conservation and Criminology Analyses · Wildlife Ecology and Conservation