City Parrots

The Arizona Republic

Federal customs agents seized 10 exotic birds that a driver allegedly tried to smuggle into the U.S. last week by hiding them in containers covered by heaps of clothing.

The driver, identified only as a 60-year-old man, kept a pair each of Amazon parrots, parakeets, finches, Monk parakeets and chickens in cages and cardboard boxes inside a sport utility vehicle, authorities said. He was caught as he was passing through the Mariposa Port of Entry on July 2, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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By Walter I. Balane / MindaNews

DAVAO CITY - Wildlife authorities destroyed nearly 300 heads of wild birds and animals smuggled into the city from Indonesia, for fear of bird flu infection.

The trader, identified as Mike Artocilla, 37, admitted that smuggling of wildlife stock has been going on with suppliers from the islands in Indonesia even if he knew the perils of the avian flu.

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