Video: The Truth Behind the Mercy Release Trade

On November 2, the Environment & Animal Society of Taiwan (EAST), the Kaohsiung Teachers Environment Education Center and the Wild Bird Society of Taipei held a press conference to expose the truth behind the mercy release of birds in Taiwan. The exposé is the product of a wide-ranging investigation of more than 100 bird stores across Taiwan. The probe revealed masses of wild animals captured to satisfy the demands of religious groups engaged in mercy releases.  

Mercy release is a traditional Buddhist practice in which adherents release captive animals into the wild. The practice is grounded in the belief that freeing a captive animal creates good karma, which will help adherents avoid hardships and accumulate virtue, delivering them good fortune to this life and the next.

However, the investigation reveals how this traditional practice has morphed into a lucrative trade with devastating consequences for the natural ecosystems and animal welfare. Investigators uncovered religious organizations ordering massive numbers of animals to facilitate mass releases for their adherents. The insatiable appetite for birds has led to wild birds being captured and transported to bird stores, only to be sold and released back into the wild.

EAST investigators interviewed 107 bird stores spanning Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung during the course of the investigation, of which nearly 60% were found to sell animals for mercy release.

The investigation found that many bird store operators maintain hundreds or thousands of birds to meet the constant demand. However, if demand exceeds the supply on hand, buyers must place orders in advance to allow catchers to replenish their stock with wild birds.

The investigation identified around 35 bird species used for releases. Local species make up the majority of the animals used, including turtle doves, light-vented bulbuls and black bulbuls, however operators admitted to selling both native and exotic species. While the majority of animals sold were birds, other animal species – including introduced snake species – were also traded for release.

Industry insiders also revealed uncounted casualties during capture, transportation and captivity. During catching, some bird catchers leave nets for several days before returning causing birds to die of heat, starvation or struggling to escape. Bird store employees described sparrows violently colliding with cage doors and Japanese white-eyes unable to adjust to a grain-based diet. One source estimated that as many as ten birds die for each bird purchased.

Perversely, operators were found telling releasers their actions will earn them karma, while birds which are captured or die in the process are paying the price for their own negative karma.

Some operators claimed to have a pact with catchers not to hunt during breeding season. However, the investigation found that most bird stores fail to adhere to this agreement and are happy to entertain those willing to pay, endangering wild populations.

While some birds sell for around NTD $10, coveted species like imperial pheasants can fetch up to NTD $7,000 a pair – with bird stores found aggressively promoting more expensive options. Some species are not raised as pets and are thus captured exclusively for use in mercy releases.

Mercy releases have mutated into a lucrative trade which wreaks havoc on natural ecosystems and inflicts needless suffering on animals. The phenomenon hijacks the virtuous intent of participants, violating the Buddhist principle of compassion for living beings.

The groups which conducted the investigation urged the government to amend the Animal Protection and Wildlife Conservation Acts to regulate mercy releases in Taiwan, including prohibitions or restrictions on improper releases.

The groups also urged the government to educate the public on ecological conservation and protection of life.

Translated by Karen Lu