Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Birds and animals rescued from two meat shops

Staff Reporter

Rescued animals are found to be dehydrated and sick

RESCUE ACT: Workers and activists with the animals and birds that were rescued and taken to a shelter in Red Hills on Wednesday.

CHENNAI: In a joint raid conducted by the People for Animals (PfA), wildlife authorities and the Chennai city police, nearly 900 birds and animals from two meat shops in Arumbakkam were rescued on Wednesday.

The rescued animals included a Pomeranian pup, white mice, rabbits, parakeets, cockateels. A large number of them were lovebirds kept for sale.

The animals and birds were crammed in small wire-mesh cages; they were not provided feed or water, the PfA activists complained.

The PfA volunteers said they were monitoring the two shops for a long time and had noticed that the owners of the shops were involved in this trade on a daily basis.

On Tuesday night, Antony Rubin, a PfA volunteer saw a person, whom he identified as Mujheeb arrested sometime ago for trading in peacocks. The volunteer also saw a pair of Alexandrine parakeets at the shop.

However, the pair was not there when the raid was conducted, Mr Rubin said. "Apparently Mujheeb headed the illegal wildlife trade in Tamil Nadu and we are shocked to see him roam free and back in the trade."

The rescued animals were found to be dehydrated and sick and most of them were on the verge of death.

"This rescue in the heart of the city highlights the enormity of the problem and the need to curtail the illegal pet animal and wildlife trade," said Shiranee Pereira of the PfA, Chennai.

Ashish Kumar Srivastav, Wildlife Warden, Chennai, was informed about the illegal trade. A team of officials visited the spot.

The rescued birds included Budgerigars and cockateels from Australia and African lovebirds.

The rescued animals and birds were taken to the PFA Jaigopal Garodia Jinendra Animal Hospital and Shelters in Red Hills.

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