In one of the largest wildlife trafficking crackdowns in recent years, Nigerian customs officials have intercepted more than 1,600 exotic birds at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
Murtala Muhammed International Airport/sm105/Wikimedia Commons
The birds, which included protected species such as ring-necked parakeets and green and yellow-fronted canaries, were en route to Kuwait without the required documentation, as told by CNN World.
The seizure took place on July 31 and was confirmed in a statement by the Nigeria Customs Service on Monday evening. Authorities noted that the shipment lacked the necessary CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) permit, which is required to prove that wildlife has been sourced legally.
Mark Ofua, West Africa spokesperson for international NGO Wild Africa, praised the bust as a step in the right direction in combating illegal wildlife trafficking. “This is a sign of positive change in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking,” he told the Associated Press.
Nigeria has long been identified as a key transit point in the global trade of protected species, largely due to its porous borders, systemic corruption, and weak enforcement mechanisms.
According to Ofua, the country plays a major role in the trafficking of ivory, pangolin scales, and other wildlife products, primarily destined for Asian markets.
Authorities say investigations are underway to identify those behind the illicit shipment. The birds will be handed over to the National Parks Service for rehabilitation and eventual release into their natural habitat.
Illegal wildlife trafficking is estimated to generate between $8 billion and $10 billion globally each year, making it one of the most lucrative forms of environmental crime.
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