More than 500 tiny lives have been saved — thanks to some kind undercover rescuers that just raided a market in Asia WHICH often sells live animals as pets.
Wildlife authorities in West Bengal rescued about 550 protected Indian birds that were discovered locked inside small metal cages.
Species such as Asian koel, parakeet, and hill myna were only some of the birds that were forced to live in such cramped conditions. Though the species can survive in captivity, they thrive in the wild — where traffickers target them left and right to capture and sell as pets.
Thanks to the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, almost all of the birds involved in this case have been turned over to trained veterinarians that will be able to nurse them back to health. Unfortunately, some newly hatched chicks were also found in the cages, and they did not survive the conditions.
West Bengal has recently emerged as a major hub for wildlife smugglers to catch and sell live animals. Fortunately, though, authorities have already arrested nine different people in connection to this case, and they will appear in court shortly.
India: around 550 protected Indian birds rescued from Kolkata’s illegal pet market https://t.co/25DvWKAx5p via @htTweets #wildlifecrime pic.twitter.com/ftKg8kWyt3
— CITES (@CITES) April 8, 2019
After everything they’ve been through, these once caged birds will keep their freedom.
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