Moving forward with its mission to stop animal abuse, The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India with the help of Lucknow police and the forest department have rescued a total of 11 rose-ringed parakeets in the city. Reportedly, these birds were saved from illegal traders in the Nakhas bird market. According to the officials, the birds are placed in the custody of the Forest Department at present.
Parakeets to be released into their natural habitat soon
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While the birds are placed in the custody of the forest department at present, upon receiving the permission of the court they will be released into their natural habitat post an examination by a veterinarian, read a PETA release. Notably, the representatives of PETA India had found these birds suffocating and jostling for air and space in a small plastic bag.
Lucknow’s Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP), Chiranjeev Nath Sinha said, “The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, makes it illegal to keep or confine any bird in any cage which does not offer a reasonable opportunity for movement, which for the bird, would mean flight. Birds have a fundamental right to fly, and they belong in nature and in the sky flying free with their families, not in eternal lockdown.”
Notably, Mr Sinha, a well-known animal activist holds the tag of being the brand ambassador of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden Lucknow Zoo at present.
FIR registered against illegal traders
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Under Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972, capturing, trading, or keeping parakeets as “pets” is a punishable offence. The police have registered an FIR under Sections 2, 9, 39, 49, 50, and 51 of the WPA and Section 11(1)(e) and 11(2) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. According to PETA India Senior Advocacy Officer Harshil Maheshwari, non-compliance with the WPA, 1972, can lead to imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of up to ₹25,000, or both.
Moreover, as per the PCA Act 1960, it is illegal to keep or confine any animal or bird in any cage or other receptacle which does not suffice in height, length, and breadth required for reasonable movements of animals.
Talking about this issue, Mr Maheshwari said, “Birds are born to fly in the open sky, not spend their life in a cage. PETA India applauds Chiranjeev Nath Sinha and his team for sparing these birds a lonely, neglected existence in a cage and for showing that illegal treatment of animals will not be tolerated.”
With inputs from IANS
