Finned and feathered

Rajda and Tambawala are members of the Sanjeevan Association,which is hosting the city’s very first exotic bird and fish exhibit for three days,from January 22 at the MET College,Bandra. “We want to spread awareness about caring for and breeding exotic birds and fish. If you’re buying pets,you have to be able to invest the time and money,” Tambawala clarifies. The exhibition will also feature a stall by the Mumbai University’s Extra Mural Department,of which Rajda is a faculty member. The department offers around 40 different hobby courses,including bird and fish breeding.

There are many who shudder at the thought of caged birds and wave flags against animal cruelty. Tambawala is not one of them. “They’re ill-informed,” he declares,“firstly,these are exotic birds and are not covered under Indian law; they’re not native to India and have been bred in captivity. If they’re released in the wild here they’ll only make easy prey for crows. Secondly,there is nothing wrong with captive breeding. If they weren’t happy here,would they be breeding so well?” To illustrate his point,he lets us take a peek at a few of the breeding cages. In one,we see a perfectly formed egg,while in another,three tiny chicks sit huddled together. The birds do indeed look happy and even as the interview progresses,we notice many of the males feeding their females,a clear indication,the 40-year-old breeder says,that they’re compatible and ready to mate.

One can see how passionate the two men are from the way they discuss the single white feather on one parakeet’s wing (he can be used to breed a new line of white parakeets). It’s a subtle detail,but one that requires years of experience. In fact,breeding new lines of these creatures is key to the Sanjeevan’s work. “You need to breed wild animals in captivity if you want to prevent their extinction. It’s something the government needs to understand and support. Brazil has done that successfully with their native Spix Macaws. So why can’t we do it with the rose-ringed Parakeet. Even a violet variety of this latter bird has been bred abroad,but we can’t do the same in its native land,because the law prohibits it,” Tambawala declares.

The exhibition,they’re hoping,will open minds and bring together fellow lovers of exotic birds and fish and teach them how to take proper care of their beloved pets. “We want to show people that by raising these birds in captivity we’re not being cruel. We’re trying to ensure the future of their species,” says Tambawala.