Illegal trapping of migratory birds has become a significant concern for animal welfare advocates in Havana. Trapping cages have been discovered in areas such as Cotorro and the Metropolitan Park. The Havana chapter of Animal Welfare Cuba (BAC-Habana) took to Facebook on Saturday to highlight that birds arriving on the island after long journeys from North America are met not with rest, but with entrapment, risking their lives and ecological roles.
The organization pointed out that species like the bluebirds, wagtails, and thrushes not only enhance the ecosystems they pass through but also serve as natural pest controllers and seed dispersers. "Keeping them in cages to hear their song is a cruel and profoundly unjust act," they stated, warning that many birds die from stress, stop eating, or lose their feathers when deprived of freedom. Others survive only to repeat, in captivity, a song devoid of meaning.
Beyond ethical and ecological implications, capturing migratory birds is illegal in Cuba. Decree-Law 31 on Animal Welfare explicitly bans the captivity of wild animals without authorization, and the nation is a signatory to international agreements like the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). However, ineffective enforcement allows these captures to continue annually, the protective organization emphasized.
Many birds end up sold as pets or confined in household cages, while indifference towards a practice that erodes natural balance persists. BAC-Habana reminded that migratory birds belong to no single territory but are part of the shared heritage of life, and turning them into ornaments denies their essence. The organization stressed that keeping wild birds in captivity is not an expression of affection, but a form of selfishness and ignorance.
On the same day, BAC-Habana publicly claimed they have faced pressure for their activism. "Do not try to pressure us more. We do not believe in pressure from anyone. For years, we have withstood it," they posted in another message.
Cuba serves as a passageway for over 300 species of migratory birds annually. Their protection is not only an environmental duty but also an ethical responsibility towards living beings that symbolize freedom.
The hunting of migratory birds in Cuba is not solely driven by economic motives from illegal trade or domestic ownership; it has also become an act of desperation in the face of a food crisis. The honey buzzard, for instance, is already being sold at 400 pesos per pound on the black market in eastern Cuba, revealing how a protected species is viewed as a temporary solution to hunger. This situation threatens the ecological balance, as the migratory bird plays a crucial role in controlling insects.
The trade of endangered species has reached outrageous proportions. A man in Matanzas was caught attempting to auction a peregrine falcon, one of the fastest birds in the world and endangered, using social media to attract buyers. While it remains unknown if the transaction was completed, the incident highlights the impunity of these practices and the lack of effective surveillance to deter the capture or sale of protected species.
Economic gain from these birds also involves clandestine export routes. At José Martí International Airport, a Cuban citizen was detained trying to smuggle live birds in his luggage, clearly demonstrating how wildlife trafficking connects with international illegal trade networks. Although Cuban laws prohibit these activities, control and sanction mechanisms remain insufficient given the scale of the issue.