Undercover Investigation Reveals Underground Parrot Trade in Sulawesi

In 2021, amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic, a vigilant individual named Irwan from Kendari, Indonesia, noticed a surge in online social media groups dedicated to parrots trading across the nation. Irwan, whose identity has been protected, delved into these groups and discovered a thriving market offering various parrot species at astonishingly low prices, sparking his curiosity and prompting further investigation.

After two years of meticulous research, Irwan uncovered a covert network involved in transporting rare birds from the eastern region of Indonesia for sale. The lack of transparency regarding the origin of the birds intrigued Irwan, leading him to dig deeper into whether these birds were captive-bred or illegally extracted from protected forests around Kendari, a bustling industrial city in Southeast Sulawesi.

The illegal wildlife trade globally is estimated to be worth up to $23 billion annually, with a quarter of all bird and mammal species falling prey to this illicit industry. The actual scale of this trade far surpasses the reported seizures by authorities, underlining its pervasive nature.

Social media platforms play a significant role in facilitating wildlife trafficking. In 2016, Facebook collaborated with organizations like WWF to establish the Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online, aiming to reduce the illegal trade on the platform by 80% within four years. By 2019, Facebook had banned all live animal trade on its platform, permitting only verified sellers with legitimate business purposes.

A joint investigation by Mongabay Indonesia, Garda Animalia, and other news outlets uncovered the rampant illegal bird trade in Sulawesi, a critical trade hub in Indonesia. Protected avian species such as the yellow-crested cockatoo and black-capped lory were openly advertised on social media, shedding light on the widespread nature of the illicit activity.

One key individual identified during the investigation was WL, a university student in Puwatu, Kendari. WL admitted to sourcing parrots from a Facebook contact known as ‘M Parrot,’ who supposedly possessed a breeding permit from the regional conservation agency. The intricate web of interactions on social media revealed the inner workings of the underground bird trade network.

The investigative team traced the origins of these trafficked birds to regions like New Guinea and Obi Island in North Maluku, with Morowali serving as a crucial transit point. Notably, Morowali’s bustling port witnessed the regular unloading of crates filled with birds endemic to various Indonesian islands, showcasing the widespread nature of the trade.

During visits to key locations such as Bungku harbor and Morowali’s industrial zone, reporters encountered individuals openly selling a variety of parrot species without any official documentation. The surge in mining activities in Morowali, driven by the nickel industry, appeared to coincide with the escalated bird trade in the region, emphasizing the socioeconomic drivers behind the illicit business.

Further investigations led the team to the Southeast Sulawesi office of the country’s conservation agency, BKSDA, where it was revealed that only one breeding permit was on record, issued to an individual named Asriaddin. However, Asriaddin’s permit did not authorize trading, highlighting regulatory loopholes that enable such illicit activities to thrive.

The complex web of actors involved in the illegal bird trade in Sulawesi underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement measures and a comprehensive crackdown on wildlife trafficking networks operating across Indonesia. The collaborative efforts of media outlets and conservation organizations play a crucial role in exposing and combating these illicit practices, safeguarding the rich biodiversity of the region.