Baripada: In a significant operation against wildlife trafficking, the Odisha Forest Department rescued 108 parrot hatchlings from illegal possession in the Rairangpur forest range of Mayurbhanj district.
The hatchlings, likely Alexandrine parakeets or similar native species, were being collected and prepared for smuggling. The accused, SK Zakir Hussain (38), son of Sek Hanif, was arrested on the spot by a team led by Forest Officer Jyoti Ranjan Sahabi.
Acting on specific information, the team raided the location this evening and seized the chicks along with feeding materials and a cage used for their care. Investigations revealed that the hatchlings were sourced from various areas, including Chedheipahadi, Sorogoda, Patapur, and Bisoi, where local suppliers handed them over to the accused.
The birds were allegedly being smuggled to neighboring Jharkhand, as well as cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and other states for the illegal pet trade. Each hatchling fetched over Rs 1,500 in the black market, highlighting the lucrative yet criminal nature of the activity.
The rescued parrot chicks, which are highly vulnerable in their early stages, will be handed over to the authorities at Nandankanan Zoological Park tomorrow for proper care, rehabilitation, and eventual release into the wild wherever possible.
A case has been registered at the Rairangpur forest range police station under relevant wildlife protection laws. Officials, including Gorumahisani Range Officer Kashinath Hansda and others, are continuing the probe to dismantle the smuggling network and identify other involved parties.
