Pune: Illegal Wildlife Trade Thrives as Forest Department Seizes Macaws and Coral in Viman Nagar Raid
Pune: Illegal Wildlife Trade Thrives as Forest Department Seizes Macaws and Coral in Viman Nagar Raid
Pune forest department seized two protected birds and nearly 198 kg of coralline rocks from an aquarium in Viman Nagar on Monday, October 7. This comes just weeks after the department arrested five people for killing a wild boar and attempting to sell its meat on September 26. Earlier in May, forest officials had confiscated a protected turtle from an aquarium in Manchar. These repeated raids highlight a disturbing trend: aquariums and pet shops in Pune’s outskirts are becoming hubs for the illegal wildlife trade.
The latest bust occurred after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) received a tipoff about protected birds being kept illegally at Blessings Aquarium in Viman Nagar. Acting on this information, DRI officials raided the shop and seized two Macaw birds, classified under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, along with 197.67 kg of coral stones, collectively worth lakhs of rupees.
Range Forest Officer confirmed the handover of the seized birds and coral from DRI to the forest department, stating, “A case has been registered against the manager of the aquarium. Further investigations are underway.”
The seizure is part of a growing list of wildlife trade violations in Pune. Over the past year, the forest department and the honorary wildlife warden have conducted raids at 11 different pet shops and aquariums across the district, uncovering a range of protected animals being kept illegally. Seized wildlife has included pangolins, turtles, parakeets, and even snakes, often sourced from these establishments and sold to buyers.
Aditya Paranjape, honorary wildlife warden of Pune forest department, expressed concern over the expanding illegal trade. “In our raids, we have found numerous protected animals, especially turtles and parakeets, being kept without proper authorization. We have taken action where necessary, with some cases leading to legal proceedings,” he said.
Paranjape also emphasized that Pune’s wildlife trade is connected to larger national and international smuggling networks. “Coastal cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai serve as major corridors for wildlife trafficking. The animals are transported via air, rail, and road, with links extending beyond India to the Middle East and Southeast Asia, including countries like Dubai and Thailand.”
As authorities continue to crack down on illegal wildlife trade, the growing number of cases has raised concerns among both animal rights activists and law enforcement. The forest department is ramping up efforts to combat this illicit industry, but the rise of trafficking in protected species remains a significant challenge.
