Polly wants a cracker, but Polly mainly just wants not to be exploited. 

Chinese authorities reported the indictment of 11 people who allegedly smuggled more than 4,500 fertilized parrot eggs into China for profit. Over 550 of the eggs belonged to protected species, according to the Taipei Times. 

What's happening?

The pet market for rare parrots in China is popular and can be lucrative, which leads to egg smuggling. 

As prosecutors described, the parrots in this case went on quite a journey. The people involved with the supply route purchased the illicit eggs in Thailand and Vietnam and then got them safely to Taiwan. There, the birds hatched and grew to egg-laying maturity. 

Finally, those birds' eggs were harvested by the thousands and shipped across the sea to Chinese entry ports, where others brought them into the country, Taipei Times explained.

Beginning in 2024 and until spring of 2025, this operation brought in the equivalent of about $195,578 in profit before authorities received a tip about illegal parrot eggs at the Chinese ports and were able to shut it down. 

Why are bird trade laws important?

One of the reasons this egg economy is outlawed is that it is dangerous for the birds involved, 570 of which are already on the protected species list from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. This included a range of parrots, macaws, and cockatoos, per Taipei Times. 

Plus, taking these animals out of their native environment and inserting them into a place they do not usually live is a big problem. It puts a strain on their populations at home, which can upset the ecological balance and harm conservation efforts. 

Introducing a species to faraway areas runs the same risk, because it opens the door for invasive species to take hold. 

When that happens, billions of dollars in economic damages can occur. All in all, the world loses $423 billion annually to invasive species, according to the World Economic Forum. 

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What's being done to protect endangered species?

The suspects have been charged with smuggling, and they may see their profits confiscated, according to the Taipei Times.

More broadly, wildlife rehabilitation centers and nonprofits such as Wands for Wildlife can help abused animals get healthy and return to the wild. You can support an organization of your choice to help make a difference.

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