Chennai: Fifteen Birds Seized From P.C. Sorcar and Dhaya’s International Magic Show Following Joint Action by PFCI, PETA India & Others
For Immediate Release:
17 June 2026
Contact:
Meet Ashar; [email protected]
Sanskriti Bansore; [email protected]
Chennai – Acting on video evidence showing birds being illegally used in dangerous stage performances by magicians associated with the P. C. Sorcar and Dhaya’s International Magic Show at Chennai’s Museum Theatre, People For Cattle in India (PFCI), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India) and others coordinated a joint operation with the Chennai Police that resulted in the rescue of fifteen birds of different species. The magicians were using the birds for stage performances in violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 and the Delhi High Court order dated 09 February 2022, which directed action against unregistered circuses.
The birds—doves, pigeons, and ducks—were relinquished and temporarily transferred to the Blue Cross of India shelter in Chennai for medical examination and interim care, post which they were transferred to Kalote Animal Trust in Raigad for permanent rehabilitation. Authorities are continuing their investigation to locate missing macaws used.
The magicians were using birds without the mandatory Performing Animals Registration Certificate (PARC) as required under the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001 (PARR, 2001), framed under the PCA Act, 1960. PFCI’s investigation documented birds being used in multiple dangerous tricks, including acts involving fire in close proximity to the animals, exposing them to stress and potential injury.
Photographs of the seized birds are available upon request.
“Animals used in magic tricks and other circus performances are subjected to unnatural, stressful training, dangerous environments, constant travel and are caged or chained when not in use,” said PETA India Lead Cruelty Response Coordinator, Sreekutty Benett. “We urge the public to help by refusing to attend shows that use animals.”
PFCI Founder, Arun Prasanna, said, “We commend the Chennai Police, especially Thiru V. Jayachandran, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Triplicane; Thiru K. Jagadeesan, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Egmore; Thiru Rajendran, Inspector of Police, F2 Police Station and Thiru Raguram, Sub Inspector of Police, F2 Police Station, for taking prompt action. The fifteen rescued birds will now live the dignified, natural lives they deserve. Meanwhile, we urge the magic show proprietors to relinquish the macaws which they have yet to hand over.”
Numerous Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) inspections and investigations by PETA India prove that all animal circuses are cruel. Even in circuses with valid PARCs, animals have been found chained or confined to small, barren cages when not being used for performances. Animals in circuses are typically deprived of adequate veterinary care, food, water, and shelter, and are forced to perform tricks through punishment. Many animals in circuses display stereotypic, repetitive behaviour indicative of extreme stress.
The operation was led by PFCI founder Arun Prasanna, along with Sreekutty Benett of PETA India and PFCI volunteers Shiva Kumar, Sanjay, Vignesh Moorthy, Manoj Kumar, and Karthik V. Dr. Chokkalingam, Chief Executive Officer of the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board (TNAWB), and Shruti Vinodraj, Honorary Member of the TNAWB; Shanti Shankar, Honorary Director of Blue Cross of India, and Velu Murugan, Manager at Blue Cross of India; as well as volunteers Sharon, Paul Ebenezer, Nanda Kumar, and Aravind, also played important roles in the rescue effort. PETA India’s Manager of Veterinary Services, Dr Pooja Acharya, Senior veterinary assistant Parmanand Pant and veterinary assistant Premchand Verma facilitated the safe transport of the birds from Blue Cross of India shelter to Kalote Animal Trust sanctuary.
PETA India – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment or abuse in any other way” – encourages the use of mechanical elephants and other non-animal means by circuses. Gemini Circus and Rambo Circus both use mechanical animals for certain shows. For more information, please visit PETAIndia.com or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
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