Path: utzoo!utgpu!cunews!cognos!stewartw
From: stewartw@cognos.UUCP (Stewart Winter)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: Cdn Parrot Symposium: Orenstein Speech
Message-ID: <9726@cognos.UUCP>
Date: 11 Jun 91 22:09:20 GMT
References: <9718@cognos.UUCP> <2853E76D.2B5D@intercon.com>
Reply-To: stewartw@cognos.UUCP (Stewart Winter)
Organization: Cognos Inc., Ottawa, Canada
Lines: 44

In article <2853E76D.2B5D@intercon.com> ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry) writes:
>[pertinent comments by speaker deleted....thanks for typing that in, Stewart]

   Just happy to see it's been read.

>Unfortunately, in my mind, the AFA position is unworkable because it calls for 
>a gradual phase out of birds from the pet trade over a 5 year period.  I don't 
>believe we have that much time to spare.  The habitats are being destroyed NOW.

   The rational behind it (as I have heard both AFA and PIJAC (specifically
Mark Hagen) reps suggest) is that gradual phase out gives aviculturalists
time to import birds which are not endangered (yet) and haven't had much
attention paid to them by aviculturalists because of the high import availability.
Good examples are some of the small conures (like Peach-Fronts and Green Cheeked)
which aren't that easy to find (in Canada at least).  Many finches fit into
the same category.  Most of the more 'prized' species are available in sufficient
numbers that it is not required.

   Also, there has been some recognition of late the many of the 'regional
subspecies' of some birds (like say military macaws) hasn't had nearly enough
attention paid to it, and that repeated breeding across subspecies is
starting to cause problems.  The 5 year phase-out would give time to obtain
known sub-species to set up proper breeding programs (again with militaries,
I think it is the central american subspecies as opposed to the bolivian
which is no where near as endangered).

   Problems - you bet.  Pet trade will probably continue as before (although
I'm not clear on the phasing out details).  Aviculturalists may not really
avail themselves of the opportunity presented (for example, I personally would 
like to get a hold of a couple pairs of genetically different Peach-Front 
conures, but, like many breeders,  I *hate* dealing with importers).


  Stewart





-- 
Stewart Winter               Cognos Incorporated   S-mail: P.O. Box 9707
VOICE: (613) 738-1338 x3830  FAX: (613) 738-0002           3755 Riverside Drive
UUCP: stewartw%cognos.uucp@ccs.carleton.ca                 Ottawa, Ontario
The bird of the day is .... Green-Cheeked Conure           CANADA  K1G 3Z4