Illicit Businesses Profiting by Maltreating Birds 鳥類籠拍.巢拍已成生意 遭檢舉涉不法

Animal rights groups have found that there are numerous businesses offering the opportunity for the improper photography of birds. These places may also be guilty of illegal hunting, smuggling, illicit captive breeding, and killing birds.

The photo shows a verditer flycatcher, which is a migratory bird not commonly found in Taiwan. A person had advertised this bird had shown up at their home and people could come and take as many photos as they wanted for a fee. Meanwhile, the Javan kingfisher has never been seen in the countryside of Taiwan, but someone was offering bird lovers the opportunity to take pictures of one. Animal rights groups have found that no import records existed for these uncommon birds.

Chen Yu-min, Deputy CEO, EAST: “This is a very serious situation, and involves poaching and smuggling.”

A short-eared owl, which is a protected species, had what appeared to be an injured left wing. However, it was still captured to become a photography subject. Wild bird societies were pained to see this.

Wu Yu-chou, Honorary Chairperson, Wild Bird Society of Taoyuan: “So many birds are injured every year. We're rescuing them as others injure them, so we cannot tolerate this. ”

Animal rights groups held a press conference to spotlight this issue and expose six locations in Taiwan that offer improper photography of birds. They are located in Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, and Nantou. They may also be guilty of illegal hunting, smuggling, illicit captive breeding, and abuse.

Huang Hsiu-chuan, Senior Specialist, Conservation Div., Forestry Bureau: “We will of course strengthen our searches in the future.”

Kao Huang-lin, Dep. Director, Animal Quarantine Div., BAPHIQ: “The punishment for illegally importing birds from epidemic areas is a maximum of seven years and a fine of NT$3 million.”

Animal rights groups believe these places that offer improper photography of birds can earn millions a year. They urged the government to investigate. They also said bird lovers and photographers should have self-discipline and photography associations should have review mechanisms to severely punish works that violate ecological photography ethics and endanger animal welfare and conservation.

銅藍鶲在台灣是很稀有的冬候鳥，業者卻標榜來到自家場地可以盡情拍攝。還有在台灣野外不曾出現的爪哇翡翠鳥，也被業者作為噱頭吸引愛鳥人士前來拍攝。動保團體指出，這些稀有鳥類完全沒有輸入紀錄。

動物社會研究會副執行長陳玉敏表示：「這件事情絕對嚴重，涉及野外的盜獵跟走私。」

還有這隻保育類短耳鴞，左翅下垂，恐怕已經受傷，但還是被抓來作為拍攝主角，對地方野鳥學會來說很痛心。

桃園市野鳥學會榮譽理事長吳豫州批評：「每年傷害這麼多鳥類，我們一邊在救、一邊在傷害，所以我們無法容忍。」

動保團體上午舉行記者會，揭發國內6大不當拍鳥場所，分別位於桃園、新竹、台中、南投等地，提供進行籠拍、巢拍與誘拍等不當拍鳥行為，也可能涉及非法獵捕、走私、不當圈養及騷擾虐待。

農委會林務局保育組簡任技正黃綉娟說：「我們當然後續會再更加強查緝。」

農委會防檢局動植物檢疫組副組長高黃霖指出：「如果從疫區擅自輸入（鳥類），可以處到7年以下有期徒刑，併科新台幣300萬元的罰金。」

動保團體推測，這些不當拍鳥場所，每年上百萬的獲利跑不掉，呼籲主管機關與檢調徹查；也請鳥友及攝影同好自律，各大攝影學會應有審查把關機制，嚴懲違反生態攝影倫理及危害動物保育與福利的作品。