Cayman’s Department of Agriculture has confirmed that the two birds allegedly smuggled on a boat into the island earlier this month are alive and remain in “secure quarantine.”
However, Brian Crichlow, acting director at the DoA declined to provide further details “due to an ongoing investigation/prosecution”.
“At this time, due to their illegal importation, the birds are currently undergoing secure quarantine. However, we are unable to provide specific details about the birds or their current status,” Crichlow told the Cayman Compass on Thursday via email.
The birds, according to sources close to the case, are believed to be yellow crowned Amazon parrots.
The birds were discovered when Jamaican nationals, aged 38 and 59, were arrested on Monday, 11 March, after their vessel was intercepted by the Cayman Islands Coast Guard.
Crichlow said it was the normal process in situations like an alleged smuggling, for authorities to follow “strict protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of both the birds and the public”.
This, he added, may involve quarantine procedures, assessment by veterinarians, and compliance with relevant regulations.
He could not say what will eventually happen to the birds “due to the sensitive nature of the matter”.
The Jamaican men have since been formally charged with importation of ganja, however no charges were filed in relation to the birds at this time.
The men appeared in court last Thursday.
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