Forest dept raids shop in Jalaun, seizes protected birds & turtles
Kanpur: The forest department's enforcement team confiscated more than 100 protected and prohibited birds and turtles from a shop in Jalaun's Orai Kotwali area during a raid on Monday.
The shop owner, Javed Mansoori, was apprehended. The seized creatures included owls, hawks, Indian rollers, parrots, various exotic bird species, and turtles.
DFO Pradeep Kumar said that they received tips about illegal wildlife trading at a shop in the city's vegetable market area. A dedicated team of SDO Sajid Ali, Proti Padav, Sanjay Madhur, Ranjit, Omprakash, three rangers, six forest officers, and one female officer was formed.
Some team members initially visited the shop as potential buyers to confirm the allegations.
Upon verification, the team proceeded with the raid and recovered one owl, one hawk, one Indian roller, over 20 parrots (including some deceased), 30-40 exotic birds, and more than 25 turtles. Kumar noted that several birds perished due to starvation, dehydration, and extended confinement.
The surviving animals received immediate care with food and water.
The rescued creatures will be transferred to a rehabilitation centre. The authorities are questioning the detained suspect, Javed Mansoori. He is suspected to have links with an interstate wildlife trafficking operation.
Legal proceedings under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, will be initiated against him. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, designates owls, hawks, Indian rollers, numerous parrot species, and turtles as protected, with their capture, trade, or possession carrying penalties of up to 7 years imprisonment and substantial fines.
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