Hazaribagh East Forest Division Rescues Chained and Injured Rhesus Macaque, Following PETA India Complaint
Following a complaint from a local resident about a rhesus macaque who was illegally and cruelly chained to a closed shutter at Canary Hill, Hazaribagh, PETA India urgently worked with the Hazaribagh East Forest Division to rescue the primate. It was reported that the macaque had been tied at the same spot for four days, with no food or water, though no one in the vicinity could confirm who was responsible for the illegal confinement. The animal had sustained injuries from the chain and was placed under the care of the forest department for veterinary treatment. After being declared healthy, the monkey was released back into the natural habitat. 
The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Government of India (MOEFCC), in its letter bearing F. No. WL-8/91/2024-WL, dated 09 September 2024, clarified that Rhesus Macaque is protected under Appendix II of Schedule IV of the WPA, 1972.
As per Section 49M of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, every person possessing a living specimen of an animal species listed in Schedule IV is required to report the details of such animal in his possession to the Chief Wildlife Warden. To ensure implementation of Section 49M, the MOEFCC notified the Living Animal Species (Reporting and Registration) Rules, 2024, vide Gazette Notification dated 28 February 2024. As per the Rules every person who is in possession of any living specimen of species listed in Schedule IV of the WPA, 1972, is required to report the details of such animals and submit an application for registration electronically through the PARIVESH 2.0 portal to the Chief Wild Life Warden (CWLW) of the concerned State, within a period of six months from the issue of gazette notification and or within thirty days of possession of such animal species.
Rhesus macaques are protected under Appendix II of Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, which makes keeping them in captivity without Parivesh portal registration, or forcing them to perform, a punishable offence that may lead to imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, or both.
PETA India is thankful to the Hazaribagh East Forest Division, particularly Shri Vikash Kumar Ujjwal, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Hazaribagh East, for their swift action in rescuing the illegally confined macaque and ensuring rehabilitation. We urge compassionate citizens to stay vigilant and report any instances of cruelty to wildlife or other animals to the forest department or the police.
In addition to being revered in Hinduism, rhesus macaques fulfil an important role in local ecosystems by dispersing seeds – due to their mostly fruit-based diet – and their absence can be detrimental to forests.
