(Bangkok, 20th) Thai conservationists are worried about the decision by the 'Conservation and Protection of Wildlife Committee' to consider removing the Red-whiskered Bulbul (also known as Crested Bulbul) from Thailand’s protected species list.
They fear that this move could become a 'de facto hunting permit', potentially accelerating the extinction of this already rapidly declining bird species.
The committee, which is under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand, convened its first meeting in two years earlier this month to discuss several issues, including the possible delisting of the Red-whiskered Bulbul (called 'nok krong hua jook' in Thai).
Supporters believe that this songbird can be reclassified as an 'economic animal' to increase the income of local communities engaged in bird breeding.
However, the committee has instructed three subcommittees to conduct further studies to collect more data before making a final decision.
Dr. Kaset Sutasha, a veterinarian and researcher at Kasetsart University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and longtime advocate for Red-whiskered Bulbul conservation, has publicly opposed the proposal, stating that there are political motives behind the decision aimed at garnering voter support for the coming election.
Dr. Kaset said: 'I oppose using natural resources as political tools. This decision weakens Thailand’s reputation in the global conservation community, especially at a time when most countries are strengthening their wildlife protection legislation.'
He pointed out that due to the Red-whiskered Bulbul’s popularity as a cage bird in southern Thailand, the species has nearly vanished from local forests.
Red-whiskered Bulbuls are highly valued for their bright and unique singing, and are often used in singing competitions, which drives high market value and demand.
Moreover, there is the belief that breeding wild birds with captive ones can produce offspring with even more beautiful songs. Therefore, illegal capture of wild Red-whiskered Bulbuls remains rampant.
It is currently estimated that about one million Red-whiskered Bulbuls are kept in captivity, but only about 1% are captive-bred; nearly all the rest are illegally caught from the wild.
Dr. Kaset also expressed concern about increased poaching activities in the North and Northeast of Thailand, where local wild populations are being hunted to meet the demand from the South.
There have already been reports of sharp declines in bird numbers in Chiang Mai’s Doi Inthanon National Park and many provinces in Isan.
Dr. Kaset said: 'Exploiting the nation’s natural resources for the benefit of a few is extremely unjust.'
'The responsibility of the Ministry of Environment should be to protect and conserve, not to issue hunting permits.'
They fear that this move could become a 'de facto hunting permit', potentially accelerating the extinction of this already rapidly declining bird species.
The committee, which is under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand, convened its first meeting in two years earlier this month to discuss several issues, including the possible delisting of the Red-whiskered Bulbul (called 'nok krong hua jook' in Thai).
Supporters believe that this songbird can be reclassified as an 'economic animal' to increase the income of local communities engaged in bird breeding.
However, the committee has instructed three subcommittees to conduct further studies to collect more data before making a final decision.
Dr. Kaset Sutasha, a veterinarian and researcher at Kasetsart University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and longtime advocate for Red-whiskered Bulbul conservation, has publicly opposed the proposal, stating that there are political motives behind the decision aimed at garnering voter support for the coming election.
Dr. Kaset said: 'I oppose using natural resources as political tools. This decision weakens Thailand’s reputation in the global conservation community, especially at a time when most countries are strengthening their wildlife protection legislation.'
He pointed out that due to the Red-whiskered Bulbul’s popularity as a cage bird in southern Thailand, the species has nearly vanished from local forests.
Red-whiskered Bulbuls are highly valued for their bright and unique singing, and are often used in singing competitions, which drives high market value and demand.
Moreover, there is the belief that breeding wild birds with captive ones can produce offspring with even more beautiful songs. Therefore, illegal capture of wild Red-whiskered Bulbuls remains rampant.
It is currently estimated that about one million Red-whiskered Bulbuls are kept in captivity, but only about 1% are captive-bred; nearly all the rest are illegally caught from the wild.
Dr. Kaset also expressed concern about increased poaching activities in the North and Northeast of Thailand, where local wild populations are being hunted to meet the demand from the South.
There have already been reports of sharp declines in bird numbers in Chiang Mai’s Doi Inthanon National Park and many provinces in Isan.
Dr. Kaset said: 'Exploiting the nation’s natural resources for the benefit of a few is extremely unjust.'
'The responsibility of the Ministry of Environment should be to protect and conserve, not to issue hunting permits.'