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| International Co-operation |
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Specific raptors, especially the larger eagles that are indigenous to Africa, fetch decent international currency on the black market. Syndicates have become quite adept at robbing nests and smuggling the babies to international collectors. Unfortunately, the philosophy they hold is to smuggle a few of the same species, as they will get their money if just one survives!
Most often, the cargo is intercepted on its way out of Africa by the conservation authorities. In a recent case, however, 4 Martial Eagles were smuggled out of Tanzania on a ship bound for a collector in Europe. The ship stopped-over in Dubai, where their conservation authorities found a box markets “finches” with no accompanying paperwork.
Upon closer inspection, they realized that 4 Martial Eagles had been squashed into this tine cage. The Martials had spent 2 weeks on the ship, in the most appalling conditions. Needless to say, their physical and mental condition was in a sorry state.
The birds were confiscated and transferred to the Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife in Sharjah, where they were given necessary medical treatment. Being unequipped to handle this type of wildlife, the centre undertook an international search for the best facility to care for the eagles, Eagle Encounters submitted a portfolio, and all 4 Martials were delivered into our care in June 2005.
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