SHILLONG:
A special team of West Jaintia Hills Police rescued seven endangered Great Indian hornbill birds at Jowai Bypass, on the night of August 8.
The birds, protected under the Schedule I of Wild Life (Protection) Act, were rescued from a compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) with registration number MZ O1R 0463. The police have arrested the driver of the vehicle.
This is the second such rescue operation conducted in the district in the last three days.
Expressing concern over the recent spike in cases of illegal wildlife trafficking in the state, Forest and Environment minister James Sangma, on Tuesday, took to a popular micro-blogging website and wrote, “Utterly shocked & saddened by yet another wildlife trafficking case that was busted by Special Team Jowai Police, rescuing 7 Hornbill birds. The rise of wildlife trafficking in Meghalaya is a worrying trend which is threatening endangered species (sic).”
He, however, congratulated the police department for being alert and busting the trafficking racket. “I also request everyone to help the Govt control this heinous crime by playing a proactive role in identifying perpetrators (sic),” he further wrote on the website.
Earlier on August 6, the West Jaintia Hills Police had seized a consignment of exotic animals and arrested two smugglers in connection with the seizure. The animals were being transported in a vehicle bearing registration no. ML11 0661
The rescued animals included two Hoolock gibbon, one Great Indian hornbill, two grey langur, one Phayre’s leaf monkey, and an otter. The animals have been handed over to Wild Life Division Jowai.
A case was registered under Schedule 1 and 2 of the Wild Life Protection Act & International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list.