Project Bird Watch

Founded in 2001, IPP is dedicated to the conservation of the cockatoos and parrots of Indonesia and t Indonesia has some of the most spectacular birds in the world, including cockatoos, parrots, and Birds of Paradise. However, habitat destruction and illegal trapping for the pet bird trade have decimated their numbers. Many are on the brink of extinction. Local peoples must resort to trapping and selling these birds just to feed their families. Yet during capture and smuggling, many of these bird suffer horrid conditions and many die in transit. Even when they reach their destinations in homes, both these wild-caught birds--and even hand-raised birds derived from wild-bird stock--often are abandoned or abused (wittingly or unwittingly). That is because they are not domesticated animals like dogs or cats, and many of their needs cannot, or are not, provided for in captivity. Furthermore, these creatures are extremely long-lived, intelligent, and sentient, and have extensive need for social interaction and intellectual/environmental stimulation. Therefore, our Mission is to try to minimize these circumstances through direct Programs of Action (see below), and through provision of up-to-date information and education.