Tamil Nadu Forest Department Rescues Parakeets Following PETA India Complaint
Acting on a complaint by PETA India, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department rescued five parakeets kept illegally by individuals in Chennai and Tirunelveli. The parakeets were seized and a penalty was imposed on both offenders following the registration of preliminary offence reports (PORs).
PETA India had sent formal complaints to the wildlife warden, Chennai, and divisional forest officer, Tirunelveli, regarding the illegal possession of two parakeets in Chennai and three parakeets in Tirunelveli by an individual and a home stay respectively. A POR has been registered by the respective divisions under sections 39 and 51 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972, against the accused for keeping the parakeets. The PORs have been compounded and fines of Rs 10,000 and Rs 6000 respectively have been recovered from the offenders.
Parakeets are protected under Schedule IV of the WPA, 1972, and possession of the indigenous species is a punishable offence. In July 2022, PETA India worked with the Chengalpattu Forest Division to rescue seven parakeets that were illegally held by fortune tellers. The group also awarded the Chengalpattu Forest Division with a Hero to Animals Award in April 2022 to thank them for rescuing four parrots – who were being illegally sold online for astrology scams – and for aiding in the arrest of two men who were allegedly involved.
In the illegal bird trade, countless birds are torn away from their families and denied everything that is natural and important to them so that they can be sold as “pets” or used as bogus “fortune-tellers”. Fledglings are often snatched from their nests, while other birds panic as they’re caught in traps or nets that can seriously injure or kill them as they struggle to break free. Captured birds are packed into small boxes, and an estimated 60% of them die in transit from broken wings and legs, thirst, or sheer panic. Those who survive face a bleak, lonely life in captivity, suffering from malnutrition, loneliness, depression, and stress.
