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Lone Ranger Fights China's Black Market Bird Trade
29 Dec
Summary
- Tens of thousands of birds are trapped annually for trade.
- Songbirds can fetch nearly 2,000 yuan on the black market.
- One man dedicates his life to rescuing birds and deterring poachers.
Silva, a passionate conservationist, patrols the outskirts of Beijing, risking his safety to combat the illegal capture of migratory birds. Each year, tens of thousands of birds are ensnared in mist nets across China, destined for the pet trade or for meat, with some species fetching up to 2,000 yuan. This practice has intensified as economic difficulties make it a low-risk, high-profit venture for poachers.
Driven by childhood memories of abundant wildlife, Silva founded the Beijing Migratory Bird Squad a decade ago. Initially met with indifference, his persistent advocacy has gradually engaged local police, who now sometimes collaborate in apprehending poachers. Despite enduring personal threats and the loss of volunteers, Silva continues his full-time, self-funded mission, using methods like satellite imagery analysis to locate traps.
While wildlife laws exist, Silva believes penalties are insufficient to deter the lucrative trade, a tradition rooted in China's historical status symbols. He hopes for a future generation that values ecological balance, but until then, he remains a solitary guardian, striving to restore the natural symphony of songbirds to Beijing's skies.
