Illegal smuggling: 40 exotic birds died in quarantine at Alipore Zoo in last 5 months

Kolkata: As many as 40 exotic birds have died in quarantine at Alipore Zoo in a span of five months from June to October. Around 153 birds that were confiscated by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) from smugglers were handed over to Alipore Zoo for treatment after a large number of them suffered injuries during the smuggling process. The DRI has sought post-mortem report of the bird deaths from the zoo.

"We follow a scientific process of transporting birds and animals and ensure that all sorts of precautionary measures are in place so that animals or birds do not suffer any sort of injury and get minimum stress. These birds that were handed over to us were being smuggled illegally and subjected to most unhygienic conditions. Our doctors have said the birds died because of acute dehydration, enteric diseases and also due to neurogenic shock," said Asis Kumar Samanta, director of Alipore Zoological Gardens.

According to Samanta, the birds during quarantine at the Zoo hospital are constantly monitored by three

veterinary physicians.

"However, in case of a number of birds, complications developed after some days that apparently seemed well when they were first handed over. It is not unusual for certain diseases to relapse because of the unscientific method of transportation and the heavy stress faced by the avians. A number of birds were also involved in infighting during the transportation process and had suffered injuries," a senior official of the Zoo said. A zoo official informed these birds were packed into bags or cooped up in tiny cages and crammed into a car boot or under the seat. They travelled like that for hours before being intercepted.

Turquoise Grass Parakeet, Eclectus Parrots, Kookaburras are among the birds that died. The mortality list also includes eight Pygmy Falcons which are the smallest birds of prey and native to Africa, Gouldian Finch, much sought after for its colourful plumage and also a Rosella that was the last bird death as communicated to the DRI by the

zoo authorities.

Most of the rescued birds were smuggled into Bengal from the Southeast Asian countries like Myanmar and Bangladesh.

In the illegal pet market, some of the species cost more than a few lakh rupees for a single member.