RAWW

Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and Thane Territorial Wing of the Maharashtra State Forest Department has initiated an Anti-snare drive with support from Maharashtra State Security Cooperation, RAWW and WWA.

It will be carried out every month throughout the year for better wildlife protection and conservation efforts.

Spinning webs of trade

Early this year, our team assisted the customs officials in the rescue and rehab of more than 300 tarantulas seized at Mumbai's international airport.

Usually in such cases the criminals transport the animals with them in their handbags or carriers under the prescribed weight limit.

But in this particular case, a courier was shipped in the name of a Mumbai resident and landed up at the courier office at the airport.

During the screening process, the entire courier which had more than a hundred packets of cake was flagged. When officials inspected the packages and found the tarantulas they reached out to our team for further assistance.

The entire courier had over 300 tarantulas of different species including Venezuelan Redstripe Pinktoe, Brazilian Dwarf Tarantulas, Purple Pinktoe Tarantula, Brazilian Redhead Tarantula. Some of them were already dead due to suffocation. The ones that survived were stabilized and later handed back for deportation to the location from where it arrived.

In the last two years we have reached out to several such cases rescuing more than 4000 animals, birds and reptiles.

Many non-native species that are not listed in CITES or categorized as endangered or vulnerable often 'make' for a popular pet. Yes, as of now in India exotic animals are allowed as pets provided you have registered it with the government's Parivesh portal and have the necessary paperwork.

Irrespective of the legality involved, most 'exotic pets' in India are 'packaged' for 'delivery' in this way. They are price tagged for a 'market'. A demand to 'own' something exotic makes this market.

And until the gaze changes, animals such as these will continue to be just orders out for delivery.

Civet update 🖤

A lot of you have been checking in on the injured civet rescued from a temple in Thane, so here is a quick update.

The civet is now out of immediate danger and under constant observation.

It is currently being treated by a team of six specialised vets, and we are doing everything we can to support its recovery.

There are some small but important positives - hydration has improved, it has started eating on its own, and we are seeing a slight improvement in weight.

That said, it’s still not fully recovered and prognosis is guarded. There seems to be an issue with its vision, and the skin on the hind legs is peeled and sensitive from injury. No internal fractures so far, but it remains weak and we are continuing further tests.

For those who don’t know, the Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) is a shy, nocturnal animal that avoids people. Seeing one in a dense urban space is almost always a sign that something is wrong.

They are protected under Schedule II of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

If you would like to support its treatment and care, you can contribute here:
UPI: 9869780202m@pnb or donate via www.raww.in

Every bit helps 🙏