In a recent enforcement action in Alfredo Marcondes, São Paulo, two elderly men, aged 67 and 77, were fined R$ 4,500 for illegally keeping wild birds in captivity. The local environmental police discovered nine wild birds, including three canary da terra, located in cages at the men’s residence during a routine patrol. The presence of these animals raised immediate concerns regarding wildlife protection laws in Brazil, which require proper permits for keeping such species as pets.

Both individuals confessed that they did not have any authorization from the appropriate environmental agency to keep the birds and claimed that the birds were raised as pets. The fines imposed on them were issued under environmental infractions, specifically targeting the unauthorized captivity of wildlife. The younger man was fined R$ 1,500 for the illegal care of three canary da terra, with the older man facing a more severe penalty for his responsibility over the additional birds.

This incident highlights the ongoing issue of wildlife trafficking and the illegal pet trade in Brazil, where many individuals keep exotic birds without understanding the legal implications or the needs of these animals. The enforcement of environmental regulations by local authorities aims to protect wildlife and maintain biodiversity, raising public awareness about the legal consequences of wildlife captivity without proper authorization.