Efforts on to identify rescued exotic animals

SHILLONG, Aug 8: Wildlife officials are making efforts to identify the exact species of the eight exotic animals, including birds, which were rescued from a Guwahati-bound vehicle in West Jaintia Hills district on Friday night, a wildlife official said on Monday.
The exotic animals which include two Hoolock Gibbons, two Grey Langurs, a Great Indian Hornbill, a Phayre’s Leaf monkey, an otter and birds, were rescued by Meghalaya police at 8th mile near Jowai.
Two wildlife traffickers – Kormola Bru and Michael Zosangliana – both natives of Mizoram have been booked under the Wildlife (Protection) Act and produced before a local court.
“These animals are not endemic to India although they look similar to their Indian counterpart and probably were smuggled in from Myanmar or other South East Asian countries. We are in touch with the Wildlife Institute of India to help us identify the exact species, but these are exotic,” Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife and Biodiversity) SM Sahai said.
He said the rescued animals are being kept at the District Forest Office (Wildlife) in West Jaintia Hills and veterinarians are monitoring the health of the rescued animals.
“The animals were being brought from Mizoram and were being taken to Guwahati for further transportation. We aren’t sure what purpose these animals were being smuggled for. Some do keep these as pets, but mostly these are smuggled to extract animal products,” Sahai said, adding that investigation is on.
Officials added that it seems that the illegal trade is being done by some organized gangs involved in the trade. “Prima facie it seems to be the handiwork of some well organised gangs,” another official said.
The wildlife offices in the state are taking the assistance of the state police, NGOs involved in rescuing such animals and also the Wildlife Control Bureau.
“This huge sum involved in such illicit trade therefore attracts a large number of transnational criminals. In this particular case too, officials said that it looks like the handiwork of a transnational smugglers. We are investigating it with relevant authorities,” officials added.
According to wildlife experts, illegal wildlife trade is the third largest illicit commerce after drugs and arms and organised criminal networks operate across the biodiversity hotspots in Northeast India. No one is sure about the exact scale of the trade or its operations.
Other than trafficking living wildlife animals, the traffickers also indulge in killing and extract animal products such as fur, skin, stuffed heads, teeth and bones that are used for many purposes, mostly in the traditional Chinese medicine market.
“Wild flora and fauna can be exploited by criminals along the entire supply chain, from poaching and transportation to processing and selling. Other illegal activities are often associated with wildlife crimes, including money laundering, corruption and document fraud,” experts said.
Interpol estimates the total value of illegal trade in wildlife is around USD 20 billion per year. (UNI)