Karine Aigner (USA) delves into the relationship between Cuban culture and songbirds, and explores the future of a deep-rooted tradition.
These songbirds were confiscated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. They are being cared for in a special aviary where they can build up stronger flight muscles after living in small cages, sometimes for years. Once healthy, they can be released into the wild.
However, only native birds caught in the USA are released and only if they're fit enough. If confiscated birds are known to have been trafficked from elsewhere or if there are public-health concerns, they are euthanised.
USA
Karine is an award-winning photojournalist who captures visual stories that explore the relationships between humans and the animal world. Her work has been featured in National Geographic Magazine, Audubon, The New York Times, Nature Conservancy Magazine, The Guardian, WWF and BBC Wildlife. In 2022, Karine became the fifth woman in 58 years to ever win the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Grand Title.
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