The number of parrots trapped in Indonesia has been found to be in excess of 15,000 annually.

They are in the main, transported from the respective islands and sold at markets in Jakarta. 

Located on the northern coast of West Java, Jakarta is the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia.

Jakarta is the centre of government, and it is also in Jakarta that many bird markets thrive. One of the biggest and DAILY markets is Pramuka.

Pramuka bird market in Jakarta, Indonesia, is Southeast Asia's largest bird and wildlife market. Located in the northeast corner of the city, it is the largest of the city's three bird markets.

Pramuka has been in operation since 1975, starting in a building housing 124 market stalls.

According to ProFauna Indonesia 47% of these 15,000 parrots are protected species (based on Indonesian law). The penalty if found guilty of selling protected parrots or smuggling parrots is 5 years in jail and a fine of US$10,000 or £6,000.

However this does not appear to deter. 

Not many are convicted and recently Animal Conservation for Life (KSBK) has reported that some members of the Indonesian Military (TNI) are involved in the transportation of hundreds of protected birds including parrots. 

ProFauna Indonesia carried out an 18 month underground investigation into this illegal trade from January 2001 to May 2002. They have found the indentities or parrot suppliers, areas of smuggling, details of exporters and also details of bird markets in Java filled with illegally caught birds.

Birds are often treated inhumanely and often die during capture/shipping or at the markets.

They are shipped to the UAE (United Arab Emirates), countries in Europe such as Italy and Spain, Pakistan etc.......

Besides the legally exported supposed 'captive bred' birds, many are smuggled into Singapore and exported worldwide from here.

Birds are usually trapped with tree gum. Meaning they get stuck to the trees on to which they fly, unable to move. They are then picked off the trees and attempts at cleaning them up are made.

The poachers clamp the birds necks with branches of the trees. The feathers of these trapped birds are also pulled out to prevent the birds from flying away. 

Each of these endangered birds are sold for anything between (Indonesian rupees) Rp 300,000 and Rp 1,000,000

Or US$33 and US$100 = £60.00.

See the photograph right of a poor Triton Cockatoo CHAINED to a METAL perch and badly feather plucked at a bird market in Indonesia

Photo with permission from ProFauna Indonesia

Of the 15,000 parrots and lories trapped during the 18 month investigation,

it was found that these included:

Umbrella cockatoos
Eclectus parrots
Great Billed parrots
C. Sulphurea (including the Citron Crested cockatoo)
Moluccan (Seram or Salmon Crested) cockatoos

Please write and protest to:

The Mayor of Jakarta 
Office of the Mayor 
Jl. Merdeka Selatan, Jakarta 10110, Indonesia. OR
Ambassador of Indonesia, Embassy of Indonesia, 2020

or: Massachusetts Av. NW. Washington DC 20036 USA
or: 38 Grosvenor Square, London W1X 9AD
or: 8 DarwinAvenue, Yarralumla, Canberra AT 2600, Australia.

Also click below to sign the petition and show your support!

News in July 2003 that 'The Indonesian government has pledged to prohibit export of parrots taken directly from the wild and to prohibit also the trapping of parrots in the wild'. (details from the world parrot trust) 

Too good to be true?
Keep checking for updates. Visit:

ProFauna Indonesia 

:: ProFauna Indonesia formerly was KSBK - Animal Conservation for Life ::