Wild animals rescued

By J.V. Siva Prasanna Kumar

NAGERCOIL, JULY 31. The forest officials today seized a large number of wild animals including six lions which were displayed at a recent exhibition at Kuzhithurai near here.

Among the seized animals are two adult lions, three cubs including a female, an adult lioness, a porcupine, a giant squirrel, a python, three monkeys, a pair of owls and a jackal. The officials are yet to identify a pair of creatures which bore semblance to felines.

Although most of the animals were confined separately in small cages, the enclosures for the six lions were too small and curtailed their movements. Nearly five lions including the three cubs were bundled up in one cage and the sixth was wrapped up in another. They were brought by Mr. M.A. Salam of Vallakadavu in Kerala for entertaining the public at the annual 76th Vavubali exhibition organised by the Kuzhithurai municipality.

The Kalial Ranger, Mr. Lakshmana Perumal who effected the seizure, brought the animals with the cages to the Bhoothapandy range office for safe custody, and informed the District Forest Officer, Mr. I. Anwar Deen.

All the animals, especially, the Asiatic lions were domesticated and did not display fright or restlessness. The officials who acted on a tip-off issued a showcause notice to Mr. Salam on July 21 and the latter failed to produce any document in support of their possession for display. He reportedly absconded later. The team, however, effected the seizure.

The animals were likely to be shifted to the Vandalur zoo in Chennai.

According to sources, this was not the first time such animals were displayed. A circus is a regular feature at the fortnight- long fairs organised in connection with the Tamil month `Adi,' and the 76th Vavubali exhibition which concluded on July 23 was no exception. No such case was ever booked in the past, the sources added.

The forest department had taken upon itself the task of feeding the animals and is likely to spend more money on their upkeep till alternative arrangements are made.

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Section  : Southern States
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