The poor birds were stuck inside the uncomfortable hair curlers for the entire six-hour flight, plus all of the additional travel time throughout each airport. They were no doubt confused and terrified, and it was hard to believe someone could treat so many animals with such cruelty.
Gurahoo had smuggled the birds all the way from Guyana so that he could attempt to sell them to be used in singing competitions throughout Brooklyn and Queens, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. During the competitions, two finches are pitted against each other, and a judge determines which one is the better singer. People bet on the birds throughout the competition, and a winning finch is highly sought after.
While there are finches in the U.S., many people believe the ones from Guyana sing better. Gurahoo was planning on selling each finch for around $3,000 — and was hoping to make around $100,000 on the innocent birds.
Gurahoo immediately admitted his crimes as soon as the birds were discovered, and was taken into custody.
Unfortunately, smuggling animals across the world to be sold for various reasons is not uncommon, and happens far too often. Fortunately, these particular birds were found before they could be sold into a life of competition, and their ordeal will hopefully help to spread awareness and stop animal smugglers in the future.
Original post here.