Birds flying home, business class

The rare Brazilian macaws, smuggled into Singapore five years ago,are being repatriated in style

By Chan Ziqian

TWO Lear's Macaws which were smuggled into Singapore head home to Brazil today.

The macaws are seen off by the AVA's Dr Leong Hon Keon and the bird-park's Dr Wong Hon Mun. -- JAMES CROUCHER

They were found in the home of Lawrence Kuah Kok Choon, 27, almost five years ago.

Kuah was jailed for a year and fined $10,000 after being convicted of illegal possession of the birds last November.

While Kuah was being investigated and tried in court, the birds were put in the care of the Jurong BirdPark.

Yesterday, they were handed over to Brazilian Ambassador Paulo Pinheiro by the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA).

The two birds will leave Singapore at 12.30 pm today on SIA flight SQ 326. They will travel business class, escorted by Brazilian expert Carlos Yamashita.

The Lear's Macaw is only found in the hot and dry state of Bahia in North-east Brazil and is the second rarest parrot species in the world after the Mexican Green-Cheeked Parrot. There are only about 130 of the Lear's Macaws left in the wild.

Brazil banned exports of the bird almost 35 years ago because it was close to extinction.

However, its rarity has only increased demand for it among bird collectors. It is estimated that each bird can now fetch up to US$50,000 (S$89,000) on the black market.

Last year, AVA investigated 45 cases involving illegal imports of animals and plants. Four of those cases were brought to court and offenders were fined between $300 and $10,000. One of them, Kuah, was jailed.

The AVA is responsible for enforcing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora - an international agreement that regulates trade in endangered species of animals and plants.