The gravity of the threats posed by the trade in neotropical songbirds for competitive keeping in the southern caribbean and guiana shield scgs and communities abroad demands innovative concerted…

This Project Grant award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (CFDA 15.679 - Combating Wildlife Trafficking) provides $129,805.02 to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and its partners to research and address the trade in neotropical songbirds for singing competitions in the Southern Caribbean and Guiana Shield regions. The key activities include: 1) assessing songbird health and welfare, 2) synthesizing data on wild songbird declines, 3) mapping the songbird trade value chain, 4) reviewing existing laws, and 5) conducting stakeholder outreach for coalition building in Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname. This 3-year effort, awarded on June 6, 2024, aims to generate data and develop strategies to combat the threats posed by the international trade in these songbirds.

The gravity of the threats posed by the trade in neotropical songbirds for competitive keeping in the southern caribbean and guiana shield scgs and communities abroad demands innovative concerted and collaborated responses. To meet this demand the international fund for animal welfare in partnership with sustainable innovation initiatives INC. Green heritage fund suriname and the university of the west indies school of veterinary medicine are partnering to research and address the trade in songbirds for singing competitions in the scgs and communities abroad. The consortium will conduct the following activities 1. Songbird health and welfare assessment 2. Synthesis of existing data on the decline of wild songbirds in trinidad and tobago and suriname 3. Participatory trade chain mapping and understanding key characteristics associated with the songbird trade in the scgs and communities abroad 4. Legal review of existing laws and 5. Outreach to stakeholders for coalition building in trinidad and tobago and suriname.