The Great Wildlife Heist

Student Handout

Choices for the Birds

Procedure
Read each of these situations. In your assigned role, discuss the issues with your group and make a recommendation for a new U.S. policy. Be prepared to present your policy to government officials.

MEMORANDUM

From: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Regarding: Cases to be presented to a special session of the U.S. Senate

Case #1
An American bird dealer has reported widespread smuggling of wild birds from Mexico into the U.S. Many of the birds are carrying infectious diseases. Mexican bird dealers are teaching American customers how to smuggle these sick birds across the U.S. border. Some of the birds are dying before the trip is complete. The survivors are infecting healthy birds in American pet stores.

Case #2
Farming practices in a certain country are destroying the habitats of some rare birds. Farmers are also allowed to kill the birds to prevent them from eating crops, but the birds are at risk of becoming extinct. The crops produced on these farms are imported into the United States.

Case #3
A bird smuggler was recently apprehended at a Mexican airport, coming from Australia, en route to the United States with 33 unhatched eggs in a suitcase. The eggs have a chance of surviving only if they are:

1. taken back to their natural habitat in Australia, with the risk of being destroyed on the long flight back.

2. taken to a local veterinary hospital where they have a 50/50 chance of survival.

3. flown to United States territory, providing the best treatment possible, but with the risk of being sold illegally to bird owners.