Smuggled in train from Meerut, officials rescue 70 parakeets at Bandra Terminus

The officials also seized 40 star tortoises from a godown at Crawford market as part of the probe.

Five people have been booked under sections 9, 39, 44, 48 and 48 (a) of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).

Acting on a tip-off, the forest department deployed a team of foresters, forest guard as well as volunteers from the NGO WWA at Bandra station to conduct the raid on September 6.

While most animals were seized alive, three species were found dead, owing to the poor conditions of their transportation. According to officials, nearly 70 protected parakeets had been stuffed inside a small cage, which was being transported from Meerut for sale at Crawford market.

A forest department official told The Indian Express, “We found that two train attenders, who were deployed through a contractor, were transporting several parakeets inside small cages. Besides seizing the birds, we held the two men along with another receiver at Bandra station. During the course of the investigation, we also discovered their godown situated near Crawford market wherein we seized over 40 star turtles.”

Records showed that the total animals seized included 63 rose ring parakeets, 7 alexandrine parakeets, over 40 star tortoises, three plum headed parakeets, yellow footed pigeon etc.
Sonal Valvi, Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF), Thane said, “We discovered the birds were stuffed inside a small 1.5 x 1 feet sized cage. Upon their rescue, we found that almost every bird was dehydrated, starved and weak owing to the cruel transportation conditions. Since they were not fed and kept under extremely bad conditions, some also died.”

Furthermore, the tortoises – recovered from the godown near Crawford – were also discovered in bad condition.

While the rescued animals are now being treated at the Range Forest Office, they will be released into their natural habitat, following their recovery.

ACF Valvi added, “While star tortoises are protected under schedule I of the WPA, parakeets are protected under schedule II of the Act. Their transportation, sale and even keeping them as pets is a serious criminal offense. Most people don’t realise that parakeets and tortoises are wild, protected species and keep them as pets, which unknowingly feeds the illegal trade market.”