More than 14 million pet birds live in approximately six million households in the U.S. According to Jennifer Place, Program Associate at Born Free USA, 150,000 parrots are smuggled illegally into the U.S. every year. “Due to a conspicuous lack of federal oversight or regulation,” Place explains, “there is no way to know for certain where these trafficked birds go once they are smuggled into the U.S. However, it’s likely that these animals end up at exotic pet auctions, breeding facilities, and in private homes.” Visit www.nationalbirdday.org for more information about captive and wild birds.
Link: The Dodo