The illegal trade in wild birds for the pet trade, food, and sport causes significant welfare harm to millions of birds annually and threatens populations of many species.
Illegal wild bird trade welfare encompasses both the acute suffering of captured and transported birds and the population-level consequences for wild populations. Birds caught by lime sticks and nets suffer injuries and stress; transport mortality rates in illegal trade can exceed 50%. The welfare harm is compounded by the conservation impact on populations already under pressure. Enforcement of CITES and national wildlife protection laws is essential, but demand reduction - addressing the cultural and commercial drivers of illegal trade - is equally important for long-term welfare improvement.