Trade in exotic birds in the West Bank, Palestinian Territories

Summary: A total of 87 species of exotic birds belonging to seventeen families were found in trade in local Palestinian pets market (West Bank) between 2020 and 2022. A number of these species are illegal traded. Five species are listed as globally Endangered, three as Vulnerable and nine as Near Threatened. Seven species are listed in Appendix I of CITES, 25 in Appendix II and three in Appendix III. Most of the exotic birds entered the Palestinian territories (West Bank) through Israeli settlements, which are considered the main source of illegal trade in the Palestinian territories.

Authors : ELIAS NABIL HANDAL, SAED LORANCE AL-SHOMALI & ZUHAIR SAMI AMR