A Growing Illicit Trade Threatens Jamaica's Wildlife

Eggs of the Jamaican Yellow-billed Amazon Parrot, above, a protected and endangered species, were recently smuggled out of Jamaica. Credit: Ajani Francis/IPSKINGSTON, March 12, 2012 (IPS) - News of Vienna's Schoenbrunn Zoo's newest attraction shocked Jamaican authorities. The unlikely stars: a flock of 45 endangered Jamaican Amazon parrots, hatched from eggs smuggled out of the island in rum-cake boxes.

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Jamaica to request return of endemic parrots

Confirmation being sought to verify species and numbers

The Black-billed parrot is endemic to JamaicaTHE Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) and the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) are taking steps to request the return of endemic Jamaican parrots being housed at the Schoenbrunn Zoo, Vienna, Austria. 

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Smuggled Jamaican Parrots big hit at Vienna Zoo

Austrians bust international trade in endangered species

Juvenile Yellow-billed parrots raised from smuggled eggsVIENNA, Austria — The star attraction at the Vienna Zoo these days are a flock of rare Jamaican parrots smuggled out of the island as eggs by two Slovak nationals who were intercepted at the airport in this Austrian capital.

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Environment NEPA warns against illegal trade in Jamaican parrots

Yellow-Billed Parrot (Amazona Collaria) Photo: Lee HunterThe National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is reminding the public that it is illegal to buy and/or sell Jamaican parrots locally or trade in them internationally.

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