A case for better international protection of the Sumatran Laughingthrush (Garrulax bicolor)

Abstract The Sumatran Laughingthrush (Garrulax bicolor) is an island endemic bird species from Indonesia. Its populations have rapidly decreased over the last decades and where the species was once widespread, only fragmented populations now remain. The species is protected on a national level and any capture or trade of wild individuals is strictly prohibited. Yet, illegal domestic trade continues to threaten the survival of this species. Less is known about the international trade in this species. Here, we investigate Sumatran Laughingthrush trade in the European Union (EU). We opportunistically observed 19 different websites from 2018 to 2020 and visited the Zwolle Bird Market in the Netherlands on four occasions in the same period. We found a minimum of 45 Sumatran Laughingthrushes for sale or in the possession of at least 20 dealers and/or hobbyists in Europe. At least some of these birds in private collections are likely to be, or have originated from, illegally imported wild individuals. In addition to the conservation implications of the trade in wild individuals, a potential increase in captive bred individuals on the international market in the future could hinder effective law enforcement, due to the difficulties of distinguishing between wild-caught and captive bred individuals. It is therefore essential to counter commercial captive breeding and trade while it is still in its infancy. We recommend that the EU lists this species in Annex A of the EU wildlife trade regulations and urge the Government of Indonesia to list the Sumatran Laughingthrush in CITES Appendix III, to assist in preventing international trade in illegally-sourced Sumatran Laughingthrushes globally.