CHESTER Zoo has become a safe haven for around 100 exotic birds after they were seized from illegal wildlife trade.

The birds, from 14 under threat species, were destined to be sold illegally as pets before being seized by customs in Europe.

The illegal wildlife trade is believed to be the fourth largest international crime in the world and is worth around $19 billion.

Collections director at the zoo Mike Jordan said: “Thousands of illegally smuggled birds die in squalid conditions during their traumatic journeys across the globe, fuelling the illegal wildlife trade.

“We are pleased to be able to offer these beautiful, precious surviving birds a suitable home, where they will contribute to breeding programmes for threatened species - and will help to inform our zoo visitors about the illegal wild bird trade.”

In just South East Asia alone up to 1.3 million birds are taken from the wild each year and the crisis has now reached a tipping point as forests are falling silent.

Experts at the zoo are calling on people to download the ‘Wildlife Witness’ app which will allow them to report suspicious instances of illegal wildlife trade where it is safe to do so.

Chester Zoo are also calling for people to pledge their support to their ‘Singing For Songbirds’ campaign which has raised £20,000 for conservation breeding aviaries in South East Asia.

Conservationists from the zoo are also working closely with the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums to deliver a ‘Silent Forests’ campaign.