The Birdman, who is he? - He's a fearless, passionate defender of wildlife...

Right now, as I write this, a man with real courage is making a difference.  He's doing work which makes it completely inappropriate to reveal his identity.  I will one day, when the time is right.  For now he is out there operating in dangerous circumstances for the sake of wildlife, the environment and all those who care about them.  He's doing what is right.

The illicit selling of birds flies under the radar in all the publicity regarding illegal wildlife trade.  Icon species such as tigers, rhinos and elephants tend to grab all the headlines.  Body parts of these species are smuggled all around the globe.  The illegal bird trade is no different except that in most cases the birds are alive in the smuggling process.  Parrots are transported along the Amazon river in massive numbers daily.  A huge demand for exotic birds in the US has seen Mexico become a trading hub.  Australia has criminal networks operating at a sophisticated level trading both eggs and live birds in and out of the country.  The list goes on, every country is involved.

Pigeons being smuggled in a man's underclothing (image courtesy Australian Customs Service)

The ramifications of the bird trade are extinctions and widespread disease.  Bird populations decimated by poaching become unsustainable at local levels and the diseases brought in by smuggled exotic birds can have catastrophic environmental consequences.

Not to mention the question "Is a caged bird a happy bird?"

I first met 'The Birdman' a few years ago, during the most recent Year of the Tiger.  I was working busy city streets monitoring illegal bird trade.  I got a call from a friend who said "Jack, I have someone in my office I think you should meet."  Fortunately I was only a few blocks away and a gut feeling told me I should just go.

I'm pleased I did. It was there I met a man who immediately impressed me with the intelligence which shone through his eyes.  Our mutual friend made a brief introduction and suggested I hear the man's story.  I listened quietly for about ten minutes and it was apparent that here was a man of knowledge, passion and courage.  Here was a man who understood the consequences of the bird trade and was actually doing something about it.  He was under resourced and uncertain of his next steps in tackling the problem.  It was destiny we should meet.

Illegal wildlife trade takes many forms.  From the remote village hunter simply poaching to put food on the table, maybe selling meat to others in his area through to the highly organized crime groups which deal in species destined for use in traditional medicines and to cater for the demand in the exotic pet trade as well as the trade in skins and other body parts such as rhino horn and ivory. The trade is worth many billions of dollars globally.  It has links to the narcotics trade as well as weapons smuggling and human trafficking. Terrorist groups use the trade as a form of funding. The trade is having a big impact on global biodiversity.

Illegal wildlife trade depends on corruption.  Government officials, police, military personnel and border checkpoint officers are all targets for bribes.  Gambling and prostitution have known links to illegal wildlife trade. Cashed up bikie gangs and mafia groups operate at various levels of impunity once the right officials are on their books.  While some nations have increased their penalties for wildlife crime offenders the fact remains that sentences and fines, if they are enforced at all, are largely a joke.  The illegal wildlife trade is an environmental crime that is still not taken seriously enough by the public and that is reflected by the governments that represent them.

In some countries the trade operates underground, in back rooms, under the cover of darkness.  In other places traders operate more openly, knowing that law enforcement is not a huge threat to them.

My first meeting with 'The Birdman' told me that here was a person who understood these issues.  He understood that physically fighting for wildlife does not have enough support and that corruption made it even harder to be heard, for arrests to be made.  In short 'The Birdman' understood what everyone involved in battling the trade understands, that it will never die and that it is a serious threat.

Yet 'The Birdman' was prepared to stand up against an angry mob while he confronted a bird trader on a hot, busy, dusty street.  He was prepared to dig deep and follow his heart and do what is right.

I'll be able to tell you more of his story at another time.  For now he is better resourced, armed with a few more ideas and connections.  He is making a difference.  The work is not easy, it is not glamorous at all. This is not the movies, not James Bond.  This is pure courage and passion in difficult circumstances.  It requires a very special, dedicated type of person.  'The Birdman' is gifted in his ability to produce valuable data. He also possesses real endurance.

Combating the bird trade and illegal wildlife trade in general requires people of real passion, people who are prepared to make real sacrifices.

'The Birdman" is one of those people.

Watch this space...