Baleswar forest officials on Tuesday night raided a fancy shop and rescued nearly 50 small birds, 30 rabbits and a few guinea pigs exhibited for sale here at Artakabiraj road in the Motiganj Market.
The officials also detained the shop owner, Sk Sahir, in this connection. The seized birds included cocktails, fantails, java sparrows and burge, which are generally domesticated in households, official sources said.
“Although these species of birds are not coming under the schedule species of the Wildlife Act yet caging of animals or birds is prohibited under the animal cruelty prevention Act. We mayn’t take any action against the trader and we are consulting with the Nandankanana Zoo authorities for their disposal. Our main aim of raiding the shop was to spread awareness not to cage speechless creatures,” said Baleswar DFO Kedar Swain.