Forest officials on Thursday rescued an Indian Roller or Blue Jay from captivity near ECIL. However, no cases have been booked against those responsible for keeping the bird captive.
Acting on a tip-off from the Forest and Wildlife Crime Control Cell, a team of officials, anti-poaching squad and volunteers from the Friends of Snakes Society reached the place where a pandal was erected for Dasara festivities. Inside, the bird (locally known as ‘Pala Pitta’) was found caged, being displayed for visitors as it is considered auspicious to sight a Blue Jay on Dasara.
With help of police, the bird was rescued and taken to animal shelter. Found to be weak and famished, it was fed and given water immediately. By Friday morning, the bird recovered and tried to fly out. It was taken to a scrub forest near Cantonment area and released safely.
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