The Forest Flying Squad, Kozhikode, arrested M.T. Rajeev, 50, of Malabar Pet Centre, Stadium Building, Rajaji Road, Puthiyara on the charge of possessing two dozen fledging Indian ring-necked parakeets during a raid on the shop here on Saturday.
Following a tip-off, a team led by Range Officer K. Sunil seized the caged parakeets, reportedly brought from Tamil Nadu for sale to potential customers. The species came under Schedule IV of the Wild Life Act and its trade was banned in the country, sources said.
This species of birds was known to imitate sounds, including human speech. There was a customer base for these birds due to this aspect and illegal trade was thriving. The birds seized were not displayed at the shop, Mr. Sunil said.
A case was registered under the Sections of the Wildlife Protection Act. The Range Officer, Thamarassery, produced the accused in the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court.
