Gujarat : 40 Parakeets rescued from illegal wildlife trade

Vadodara : In a high-stakes operation, 40 rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri) were rescued from illegal wildlife trade routes near Vadodara, Gujarat. The operation, carried out by Wildlife SOS and GSPCA in collaboration with the Gujarat Forest Department, thwarted traffickers attempting to transport the parakeets from Savli village to Vadodara.

The mission was launched following a tip-off about the illegal trading of parakeets in Vadodara. Acting on this intelligence, the rescue team set up an operation near Dumad Chokdi on the National Highway, known to be a primary route for wildlife traffickers. Upon intercepting the suspects, the team discovered four soft-cotton bags containing 40 parakeet chicks. The traffickers were immediately apprehended and charged under the relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

The parakeets, which are protected under Indian wildlife laws, were handed over to the Gujarat Forest Department for medical examination and eventual rehabilitation in their natural habitat. This rescue operation is a significant step in combating the illegal wildlife trade, which poses a grave threat to India’s biodiversity.

Raj Bhavsar, Project Coordinator at Wildlife SOS and President of GSPCA, expressed the importance of such operations. “Operations like this send a strong message against the rising tide of wildlife trafficking. Our collaboration with the forest department underscores our commitment to conservation and rescue efforts,” he said.

Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, highlighted the prevalence of bird trafficking in urban areas. “The trafficking of birds is, unfortunately, a common occurrence in urban areas. We urge people to report any sightings of illegal trade activities to the relevant authorities. Wildlife SOS remains steadfast in its mission to promote freedom for all wild animals,” he said.

Karan Singh Rajput, Range Forest Officer of Vadodara, praised the seamless coordination between the organizations involved. “The collaboration between Wildlife SOS, GSPCA, and the Gujarat Forest Department has been instrumental in our mission to conserve wildlife. We are dedicated to continuing such initiatives and envision a future where every living being thrives in harmony and peace,” he said.