Enforcement curbs illegal bird trade

Study reveals fewer wild birds in pet markets following government action

Wildlife enforcement actions have played a vital role in combating the illegal wildlife trade in China. While the effectiveness of the conservation measures has garnered significant research attention, there remains a lack of comprehensive national-scale assessments.

To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of enforcement measures, a group of Chinese researchers evaluated the nationwide Protecting Migratory Birds Special Action.

The initiative was launched by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, formerly the National Forestry Administration, in October 2016 to combat the illegal bird trade and safeguard migratory birds and other wildlife species. It mobilized efforts to thoroughly inspect key areas where migratory birds make stopovers during their flights, aiming to disrupt illegal trading networks.