Dealing with bird poachers ‘my little way’

This is a short account of some of my personal experiences with bird trappers and how I dealt with them in exchange for freedom of the birds caught and perhaps saved some poachers from falling foul of the law.

1. When to approach a poacher/trapper and when not to do so:
Each situation is unique. Usually a poacher or trapper is a male and if he is found in a somewhat deserted environment or he looks a rough, tough sort of guy and I happened to be birding alone, I would avoid eye contact and make for a quick exit as though he wasn’t there. I would be hiding in some bush or undercover and looked to photograph his identification. Such as, his mode of transport, his face profile, in the act of setting up traps or with the poached bird.








Photography is great as it shows the official time and date the image is taken. Confrontation with a poacher or trapper that compromises my safety is the last I want to be embroiled in.

2. My identification and who I represent:
When I bird alone, which I prefer to do a lot, I would usually adorn a prominent identification tag that shows my name and the society I belong to. This is so especially when I visit the villagers for it gives them the assurance that I, as a lady birder, am there to watch and study birds only and come with good intentions. The villagers usually reciprocated well with a warm welcome.

This identification tag no doubt small, says it all with no further explanation needed to justify oneself. It is also effective to ward off the guilty conscience, ill intended ones who fear to confront me at the sight of the tag, regardless of whether the poacher or trapper can read or not.

I make a point to wear the tag with confidence and uphold myself to be a good representation of who I belong – no different a feeling from school days when one puts on a Prefect’s badge, wears a Prefect tie and adorns a School Prefect’s blazer and lead by good examples.

This method saved two juvenile water birds from the cooking pot that I found in fishing net of a tractor driver, ploughing the fields. He saw a lady approaching him with a scope, binoculars and an identification tag round her neck. A friendly discussion issued. I took some opportunity identification shots. He meekly surrendered the Watercock (Gallicrex cinerea) (above) and Slaty Breasted Rail (Gallirallus striatus) (bleow) and we gave the birds freedom.
3. Advise with visual aid - Copy of Wildlife Protection Laws:
Approaching any trapper or poacher is always done at own risk and I make a point to weigh it well that I am confident to approach the trapper in a friendly way and able to win him over with friendly advice for his sake. The use of a Copy of the Wildlife Protection Laws by flipping the pages, standing beside him to make sure he sees all those listed protected birds (above). Big words, penalty and jail sentences that confronts him is enough to shrink his pupils.

The result is promising with young trappers who on one occasion thanked me for briefing him and left never to be seen again. (A Copy of the Wildlife Protection Laws can be had in any state library of Malaysia for a small photostatting fee).

4. Report to relevant authorities with proof of photographs:
Photographing trappers and poachers are best done discreetly without their knowledge as the fear of them being reported to, drive poachers’ nuts and they will not hesitate to become verbally and physically abusive to defend themselves. (Their strategy of attack is best form of defence).

Having obtained all the evidence I required, the Branch Chairman of my Society is informed and all information required with photographs are posted to him to make a quick report to the Forestry Department.

The recent prompt action by Enforcement Officers in the Forestry Department to remove mist nettings found in the vicinity of the rare vagrant visitor, Common Hoopoe (Upupa epops) in Penang State is an example of good and effective co-ordination from prompt reporting, action and follow through.

It is a good feeling to know, the Common Hoopoe is saved from potentially flying into the net (below). The rare bird was seen again after the mist nettings were removed- two days after my reporting.

As I mentioned, it is only a personal account of what I do in small ways to save birds single-handedly. Others may do better in their different ways - their way. Some may say, I try to police others or impose others to think my way or whatever code of birding conduct I may drum up and call them ethics to dictate to others.

Say what they will, I am only answerable to the call of birds that continue to reward me with numerous rare sightings and fellow birders who truly love, respect and care for the avian of the wild have all my due respect.

SUBMITTED BY DAISY O’NEILL, PENANG, MALAYSIA,

Poaching of Straw-headed Bulbul

The Straw-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus) is a popular cage bird valued for its “glorious bubbling song.” The 1994 Singapore Red Data book designated the bird as “vulnerable” as the birds were regularly trapped for the songbird trade. It was then known that small populations existed in a number of locations on the main island, with the largest concentration of an estimated 60 birds in Pulau Ubin.

Since then the population of this bulbul has increased, thanks to the success of the Singapore Government's Garden City Campaign. I have even seen them in my garden in the Bukit Timah area.

There was a study on the distribution of the bird in Singapore in the late 1990s by T.G. Tan who submitted the thesis to the University College London. This was followed by another study by Dr Ho Hua Chew on its distribution in Pulau Ubin.

On 16th November 2005 Dr Ho gave a talk on his study of the Straw-headed Bulbul in Pulau Ubin. He reported that the bird was doing relatively well in the offshore island. A review by “Mr Budak” entitled “Living on the Edge: The Straw-headed Bulbul in Pulau Ubin,” highlighted Dr Ho’s findings in the blog on 18th November as follows:

“…the Straw-headed Bulbul, which has found a safe haven in Singapore's wooded areas, in particular Pulau Ubin. Remarkably, there is no record of this species in Singapore prior to 1951, and even till to 1970s, the bulbul was not known to be common, even on Ubin. A bird survey in 1992 counted 50 birds on Ubin, which fell to 30 in 2000. However, the population rebounded to about 32 breeding pairs in 2001, whilst the mainland recorded an estimate of 76-93 birds.

“…The bulbul's rich, melodious song, described as liquid gold, is more often heard than the bird itself, and has led to the species' disappearance from of its former range. Once found throughout the Sunda Shelf from Burma to Borneo, the bulbul is now believed to be extinct in peninsular Thailand and Java and near extinction in Sumatra. …Habitat destruction… is one reason for this fate, but the widespread practice of trapping songbirds for the pet trade is thought to be a significant factor in the bird's rarity, a fate shared by the once common White-rumped Sharma (Copsychus malabaricus). The bulbul is now classified under the CITES Division 2, which allows for trapping and trade of the species under specified permits and quotas.”








The Straw-headed Bulbul has never been a popular cage-bird in Singapore. But this does not mean that poaching of this bulbul does not exist here, as seen in an earlier posting by an individual using decoy birds (above).

We all know that the Straw-headed Bulbul is now common in Singapore, especially in the island of Pulau Ubin. With its populations in Thailand and Indonesia drastically depleted due to poaching, poachers are now naturally targetting Peninsula Malaysia and Singapore. And due to such poaching activities, most birds at Mandai and Choa Chu Kang have disappeared, as with the birds in Pulau Ubin, where information on its distribution is commonly available.

Our bird specialist R. Subaraj has recently unearthed a well-organised effort at poaching of this bulbul, coordinated purportedly by a prominent local bird dealer. And according to his source, many birds have already been poached and the birds already sent to waiting buyers in Sumatra.

Thus unless we do something to stop this activity, and stop it fast, the future of the Straw-headed Bulbul in Singapore looks bleak.

NOTE: Any member of the public who witnesses wildlife poaching in progress can contact the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) during office hours as follows :

AVA Wildlife Regulatory Branch:
Ms Lye Fong Keng - Tel : 6325 7349

Other contacts in the same branch include:
Mr Gerald Neo - Tel : 6325 7290
Ms Yvonne Low - Tel : 6325 7626

After hours or at weekend, we suggests you contact the Police directly. Inform the Police of the presence of 'suspicious characters', not mentioning poachers.

References
Ho, H. C. (2001). The Straw-headed Bulbul in Pulau Ubin: its breeding population, distribution and species’ habitat requirements with recommendations for conservation. Msc dissertartion, University of East Anglia, UK.
Lin Yangchen & Ong Kiam Sian (2006). The Straw-headed Bulbul’s legendary song. Nature Watch 14(2) 8-10.
Ng, P. K. L. & Y. C. Wee (1994). The Singapore red data book - Threatened plants and animals of Singapore. Nature Society (Singapore). 343 pp.
Madoc, G. C. (1956). An introduction to Malayan birds. Malayan Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. (revised ed.)
Tan, T. G. (2001). Population distribution of Straw-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus zeylanicus in Singapore and strategies for conservation. MSc dissertation, University College London, UK.

Images of the bulbul by Chan Yoke Meng.

Great-billed Heron: Poaching

The Great-billed Heron (Ardea sumatrana), standing at 115 cm tall, has been claimed to be the tallest resident bird in Singapore (left). According to our bird specialist R. Subaraj, the Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus), is much taller at 122.5-129 cm. But then this stork is a non-breeding visitor to Singapore.

The Great-billed Heron is confined to rocky shores and mangroves, mainly on offshore islands and the west coast. It is also locally endangered with only about 20 plus birds left. Internationally, the bird is near-threatened.

You can imagine the concern and indignation among local nature buffs when they found that there is someone actively trying to catch this rare heron using a captive juvenile bird. The captive bird as well as the owner were photographed by Nick Baker’s neighbour at Queensway (see map, bottom). The tethered bird was seen in an open field (above) with the owner sitting nearby under the shade of a tree. Obviously he was waiting for his captive bird to lure another for capture (below). The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority was alerted but so far has not been able to meet with the person possessing the heron. Dr Lou Ek Hee, Head, Animal Welfare Regulations Branch, AVA, has written:

“My officers have gone down but did not see the individual or the bird. …In view of this, could I request that you contact my officers Mr Tan or Mr Lee should you see the individual with the bird again? Mr Tan's tel. is 6471 9996. Mr Lee's is 6471 7198. Thank you.”

Anyone seeing the man and his captive heron, please alert AVA. NOTE: Any member of the public who witnesses wildlife poaching in progress can contact the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) during office hours as follows :

AVA Wildlife Regulatory Branch:
Ms Lye Fong Keng - Tel : 6325 7349

Other contacts in the same branch include:
Mr Gerald Neo - Tel : 6325 7290
Ms Yvonne Low - Tel : 6325 7626

After hours or at weekend, we suggests you contact the Police directly. Inform the Police of the presence of 'suspicious characters', not mentioning poachers.

Input by Nick Baker and R. Subaraj, images obtained through Nick.

Illegal mist-netting of birds

On 2nd Sep 2006 Tang Hung Bun wrote: “This morning my friends and I were shocked to see a poachers' net (18m by 3m) in the Kranji area. There were five Baya Weavers (Ploceus philippinus) caught in it. My friends quickly freed the birds, but two of them were already dead. These two were probably trapped in the net for a long time and suffered a slow death. They were juveniles. Before we left, we destroyed the net."Ashley Ng added: “These poachers usually set up their mist net early in the morning before sunrise or the day before. They will come back the next few hours or days to check on the netting… Why leave the birds to die? Poachers usually have a list of species they want to catch. Those unwanted species are usually left to die a slow death.

“Which species to catch? Based on habitat, they are probable interested in munias, doves, bulbuls which have better market rates than baya weavers.

“Occasionally, other bigger mammals such as bats and squirrels get trapped on the mist net and eventually die.” From Penang, Malaysia, Daisy O’Neill has this to say: “...mist netting is the most common method used on the 'mainland' across the causeway, especially in more remote areas. I came across another bird trapper doing it in 'motorbike style' (above). “He has a Zebra Dove (now Peaceful Dove, Geopelia striata) in his homemade, creative contraption he is holding. He selects his poled position and waits behind some bushes. At times, he coaxes the dove to 'coo' for mates to join her. Doves would land on the old fishing net hung loose in the 'racket' loop to catch the landing dove, trapping it when its feet get entangled in the net (below). So simple! “He was given a friendly advice to be wary of species of birds that are protected, that can land him with a jail term and fine.”

An earlier posting on the poaching of the Straw-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus) can be seen here.

Input by Tang Hung Bun, Ashley Ng and Daisy O'Neill. Top three images by Tang and bottom three by Daisy.

Poaching of Straw-headed Bulbul

The following account and images were received on 9th September 2006 from some nature lovers who wish to remain anonymous:“We met two poachers at Mandai yesterday morning. They were using a live decoy of a caged Straw-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus). “We were walking along a trail when we heard the song of the Straw-headed Bulbul. There was a pair perching high up on a branch of a tree. But the bulbul's singing was coming from a patch of vegetation nearby. As we came nearer to the patch, someone cleared his throat. We immediately realised that there were poachers around. Two of them were hiding among the vegetation - with a small cage.

“We pretended not to see them and casually walked past to avoid any unpleasantness. From a distance we managed to snap one of the two poachers (top image).”

Ashley Ng of Pigeon-Hole has suggested the following should anyone encounter poachers: (1) Take down particulars such as vehicle number, number of people in the group, description of poachers, activities, etc. (2) Call the police or NParks (Ranger Station no: 64685736) immediately, or dial 999 for help. These days the authorities are very helpful, especially on public affairs and illegal activities. They are very responsive and are able to reach the location within 10-15 minutes. (3) Post the report to various groups for further preventive action. [Inserted 7.38 am, 2nd October 2006]

Hougang's Hell For Hornbills

I cannot begin to describe how heavy my heart felt recently when I found two huge Blyth's Hornbills being crammed into a tiny cage and put on sale at Chua's Pet Trading in Hougang. If there is any proverbial cupboard where skeletons are to be found in 'First World' Singapore, Hougang is one. It's the 'Guantanamo Bay' of Singapore... and freedom is taken away for no other crime than being 'wild and exotic' birds.

What else can I say? : (

Beyond what I have just wrote, how do I begin to describe the intimacy with which our own freedom are tied to theirs? I am truly lost for words.

However, let me share this photo (above), and invite you to step back in time with me and witness how insistent the hornbills were at biting the cold hard wire of the cage. They just want to be free; as free as all wild birds are born to be.

Would you, my dear sentient friends, share your thoughts and feelings with me too? I look forward to post them faithfully here. Thank you.

WHEN THE BUYING STOPS, THE TRADING WILL TOO!

©Joseph Lai 2003

The above has been posted at the request of Joseph Lai to let as many people as possible know about the cruelty of this trade.