Thailand Delists Hoary-Throated Barwing, Tightens Captive Breeding Rules
Thailand delisted the Hoary-Throated Barwing from protected species on July 21, allowing captive breeding outside forests while maintaining strict safeguards including mandatory registration, movement controls, and identification markers to
On July 21, 2024, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchatchai Chomklin announced cabinet approval of draft regulations delisting the Hoary-Throated Barwing from protected wildlife. The proposal will now be reviewed by the Office of the Council of State before proceeding to the Prime Minister's Office and eventually the Royal Gazette, taking effect 30 days after publication.
For areas outside forests, the Parks Department will enforce strict measures in collaboration with breeders' associations and relevant parties. These include registry surveys, movement controls, animal cruelty law compliance, and community conservation participation. Safeguards against negative ecological impact from released birds include mandatory cage standards, loose-bird reporting centers, voluntary farm registration systems, expert oversight teams, and identification markers to distinguish captive from wild birds.
Parks Director-General Atthapol Charoenchansa emphasized that despite the legal delisting, birds in protected forest areas—national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and reserved forests—remain fully protected under area-specific laws. Poaching remains illegal. The department will maintain enforcement through patrols, checkpoints, arrest operations, network investigations, personnel training, and civilian surveillance networks. A subcommittee will closely monitor wild populations and can quickly restore protected status if illegal capture threatens the population.
