Saved from captivity:Rose-ringed Parakeets (Psittacula krameri) being kept either as pets or to be sold, were rescued in Coimbatore, on Thursday.- Photo: M.Periasamy The birds are protected under Schedule IV of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
The Forest Department and Animal Rescuers, a voluntary animal welfare organisation, have rescued 28 parakeets and a Black Headed Munia from Coimbatore and Erode in the past few days.
According to a press release that was issued here, the birds were rescued from as many as 19 different locations where they were in illegal captivity.
They were being kept either as pets, or to be sold to customers in various places.
The feathered creatures rescued included four (three female and one male) Alexandrine Parakeets, and 24 (nine male and 15 female) Rose Ringed Parakeets.
Several of these birds were found to have had their wings clipped and their tail feathers cut as well, in order to prevent them from flying away to liberty. Another point that was noticed was that a couple of the birds had also had their beaks clipped.
The activists who rescued the birds said that the foraging habits of the birds had not at all been considered by those who had trapped these birds.
They were mainly fed tomato rice, lemon rice, curd rice, vada, idly, dosa, snacks and milk. Parakeets that live in the wild have been observed to feed on grains, fruits, nuts and flowers.
The Forest Department, Coimbatore Division, is rehabilitating the birds, a process that will takes between three to 12 months. People who have information about caging, selling and illegal trading of parakeets can provide the information to the following contact numbers:
Animal Rescuers - +91 96 26 011 011 / +91 9047475259, Coimbatore Range Officer T.G. Sekar - +91 9486241217, District Forest Office - 0422 2456911.