HI - A second forwarded message this time from Nick Brickle on bird trade in
Indonesia (see below).
For those interested financial support of OBC, or local NGOs such as PROfauna
may help. Others might find this issue an interesting research topic, or find
other ways to spread information on this issue to conservation workers or the
Indonesian govt.
thanks,
Colin
-- In "Nick Brickle" <> wrote:
>
> Hi all
>
> Sorry for the late entry!
>
> I believe the bird trade in Indonesia simply reflects a general attitude to
> wildlife among the public at large. This attitude prevails through
> government, the courts, state prosecutors, enforcement agencies, traders and
> the buying public. While success can (and is) achieved by localised
> enforcement agencies, such measures are largely sticking plaster fixes for
> the 'symptoms', not cures for the 'cause'. Addressing wildlife trade lacks
> political will because it lacks public support.
>
> This said, I do feel we should not be so judgemental as to condemn the
> historical attitudes of a nation. You really do not need to go back so far
> in history to find the same attitudes prevailing in places like the UK. Go
> back 50-100 years and it was perfectly acceptable to catch, keep, kill,
> stuff and collect bits of birds. As recently as 10 years ago we were still
> laughing at chimpanzees dressed as people on TV adverts selling teabags.
> Similar stories can be told for almost every 'western' country.
>
> Viewed like this the question becomes one of how to change the attitudes of
> the general public here in Indonesia? (and it is worth remembering that
> ironically people keep pet birds because they genuinely like birds!). I
> believe attitudes changed in the UK because of education and awareness; the
> work of groups like the RSPB, and probably even more so, of the BBC and
> David Attenborough, matched by a growing political will to change. There are
> also other examples from the UK of campaigns that have successfully changed
> general attitudes: two that come to mind are the 'keep Britain tidy'
> campaign (started in 1955 by the Women's Institute but which rolled into a
> huge government backed media campaign) and the campaign for HIV/AIDS
> awareness of the 1990s (major plot lines on national soap operas...major
> government support).
>
> So what can we do to help? As visiting birdwatchers you can do your best to
> promote local pride in wild birds. You can visit places, spend money, and
> put a value on wild birds. You can support local guides and birdwatchers
> that will continue to promote wild bird conservation when you are gone. You
> can support NGOs that do their best to educate, raise awareness and to
> improve enforcement (but don't condemn them for not being able to fix the
> problem singlehandedly). You can lobby your government to lobby the
> Indonesian government to respect treaties like CITES and CBD, and so on.
> However... the biggest force for change in Indonesia is the growing number
> of young Indonesians that fully understand the issues and are doing all they
> can to change public attitudes already. This is what will ultimately bring
> about change, and so if you can find a way to support them, then take it!
>
> Thanks
>
> Nick Brickle
> Bogor, Indonesia
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