Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], March 2 (HBTV): The Ahmedabad City Crime Branch conducted a raid at a residential flat in the Navrangpura area on Sunday, uncovering a large-scale illegal breeding and sale racket involving rare exotic animals and birds.
During the operation, authorities seized several expensive and rare species, including a Red-handed Tamarin infant and seven Persian cats and kittens, which were kept in cages inside the flat.
According to a press note, the seized animals included one Red-handed Tamarin infant, seven Persian cats and kittens, 14 hamsters of various sizes, 15 Mini Lop rabbits, and nine Leather Lab Dwarf animals.
Exotic birds with high international market value were also recovered, including six African Grey Parrots, five Blue and Gold Macaws, three Eclectus Parrots, four Sun Conures, two Galah Cockatoos, and one Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. In addition, a large number of African Lovebirds, Conures, Cockatiels, Budgerigars, and Finches were found.
The documents presented by the accused through the ‘PARIVESH’ portal were found to be incomplete and suspicious during preliminary inspection.
Experts said that keeping wild and exotic creatures in such high numbers in a congested residential area without biosecurity measures or scientific infrastructure poses a serious risk of zoonotic diseases, which can be transmitted from animals to humans. They also noted that using a residential property for commercial breeding constitutes a regulatory violation.
Considering the gravity of the matter, international wildlife trade regulations, and public health risks, authorities said that the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, the Forest Department, and the Customs Department would be formally notified for further investigation and action.
The departments will jointly conduct a detailed probe into the verification of documents, the legality of the imports, and potential health hazards to residents in the locality.
(ANI)