Palestinian parrot breeder's predicament

Reuters Videos
Updated

This Palestinian parrot breeder

is struggling to keep his business alive

amid global economic hardships

Location: Hebron, West Bank

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN PARROT BREEDER, NASHAT ETMAIZE, SAYING:

"I started breeding parrots as a hobby, this is my hobby and I love it. But I also sell birds when they are young, it's good business."

Nashat owns 60 colorful parrots

and has been caring for the birds

for over 15 years

He used to sell 15 parrots a month

but now can barely sell two

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN PARROT BREEDER, NASHAT ETMAIZE, SAYING:

"The biggest problem we face is that people are going through economic hardships, this is our big obstacle and it’s led to a huge drop in sales. // Their food is very expensive, as you saw earlier I buy bananas and boxes of apples, nuts, for them. I go to the shops and purchase nuts for thousands of shekels."