Chennai, July 26 (BPNS)
Coimbatore police took into custody two exotic birds from a Circus company as the company did not have a permit from Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). The exotic birds, two yellow-crested cockatoos, were sent to the WVS International Training Centre in the Nilgiris for rehabilitation.
The race course police in Coimbatore seized the exotic birds on Tuesday night. This is following a case registered last week following a complaint by an animal rights activist that the circus company was illegally exhibiting exotic birds and dogs and that the birds and dogs were subjected to cruelty. The proprietor and manager of the company were booked on the basis of a complaint lodged by the founder of an animal rights organisation, People for Cattle in India (PFCI), Arun Prasanna.G.
It is to be noted that a certificate from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) was essential under the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules 2001, for animals and birds used in circuses.
According to the police, the company had not maintained a Performing Animals registration certificate (PARC) for the two cockatoos as per the report of a veterinarian of the Animal Husbandry Department.
The Circus company was using 12 dogs, five African grey parrots, two yellow-crested cockatoos, and one golden macaw. The circus company had appointed a registered veterinarian for the treatment and well-being of the dogs and birds.
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