Mumbai: The Fort Resident, Pradeep D’Souza, who was previously arrested by forest officials to keep several species of birds protected by wildlife in his house, has been released on a guarantee in the local court.
The advocate has produced a correspondence that D’Souza has written to the Ministry of Forestry in 2020 states that he cared for many injured and sick birds and animal species, and therefore do not hide this fact from the authorities.
“The letter that my client Pradeep had written to forest conservator (Thane) in March 2020 has provided all details about how wildlife species such as kites, warehouse owls, kuntul and even bats are stored in their homes.
However, the forest authority is not Acting on it.
The court has recognized this letter and since the investigative officer (IO) did not cause an objection to the guarantee, he was given a guarantee, “said Advocate Siddh Vidya.
Last week, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and forest officials jointly raided D’Souza’s house and grabbed the scheduled species such as kites, parrots, owl barns, and even bats among others, while also capturing it below Wildlife (protection) Action, 1972.
Warden of Wildlife Honor, Subramanian Sunish, said, “speaking legally, wrong to keep the protected species, because they must be submitted to the authorities or professionals who can provide the right treatment for bird species.”