Hundreds Of Birds, Including Newly Hatched Chicks Rescued From Illegal Wildlife Market In Delhi

In a major operation against the rampant illegal wildlife trade, over 1700 native birds were found crammed into suffocating cages in the Kabutar Market near Jama Masjid on Wednesday.

The birds, including adults, juveniles, and over 500 chicks were seized by The Delhi Police and Forest Department, and are currently receiving medical treatment and care at Wildlife SOS.

Wildlife SOS

The birds include over 1700 adult and baby parakeets ¨C including Alexandrine, Rose-ringed, and Plum-headed parakeets, along with hundreds of munias, two hill mynas, and buntings.

Crammed in small cages

The birds were crammed into small cages and kept in rooms with no ventilation. The baby parakeets were stacked on top of each other in tiny cardboard boxes, and several parakeets were found dead.

Wildlife SOS

The raid was carried out based on a complaint filed by PETA India registered under various sections of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA), 1960, and the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

An FIR has also been filed under relevant sections of the Wild Life (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972.

Hill mynas are protected under Schedule I, while parakeets and munias fall under Schedule IV of the WPA.

Possession and trade of native wildlife species are illegal under WPA.

PETA India said its representatives had first alerted the police about the situation and then filed a formal complaint at the Jama Masjid police station.

Wildlife SOS

The Forest Department took custody of the birds, and as per the direction of the Deputy Conservator of Forests, the rescued birds, including adults, chicks and juveniles, have been placed under the care of Wildlife SOS.

"We took possession of the birds from the Delhi Police. As they are under extreme stress and many of them are barely a few weeks old, they have been handed over to Wildlife SOS for care, feeding, and medical treatment. This is perhaps one of the biggest seizures of this kind in Delhi," Aditya Madanpotra, Dy. Conservator of Forests (Central division) said.

Wildlife SOS

Several of the bird species that were rescued on Friday are not found in the National capital and have been smuggled from different states.

Most traded birds

Of the 12 native species of parakeets, the Rose-ringed parakeets, Alexandrine parakeets and Plum-headed parakeets are three of the most traded birds in the country.

3-4 weeks old parakeet chicks are often captured from the wild and crammed into tiny containers while being transported to bird markets across the country. In most cases, the birds die en-route due to stressful conditions. Each year, millions of wild animals fall victim to the illegal pet trade.

"Many of these birds are sick, dehydrated, malnourished, and under immense stress. Some are also suffering from eye infections, wing damage, and other injuries. It was shocking to discover that the munias have been dyed in bright colours using harmful chemicals," Wasim Akram, Deputy Director ¨C Special Projects, Wildlife SOS, said.

Wildlife SOS

Though the chicks have been rescued, they have to be kept under special care to ensure they survive.

"The baby birds are very small and vulnerable requiring extensive care and feeding every 3 to 4 hours. They will be released in their natural habitat once they are fit by veterinary experts," Geeta Seshamani, Secretary - Wildlife SOS said.

According to Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, said there is a surge in demand for these birds closer to festivals like Holi.

"Under the garb of the pet trade, rare and endangered species are smuggled across the country, due to ever-increasing demand in the black market. We hope this incident can help expose linkages to a larger illegal wildlife trade racket," he said.

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