Kabootar Market raid: 863 animals rescued, police cite 431 protected birds

A joint operation at central Delhi’s Kabootar Market rescued 863 birds and animals, including 431 birds protected under wildlife law, police said.

Police said the protected birds included 72 plum-headed parakeets, 183 ring-neck parakeets, 63 Alexandrine parakeets and 113 munias. The remaining 432 animals were found in cages described as overcrowded and unhygienic. They included budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds, guinea pigs, grey squirrels, white mice, rabbits and non-protected parakeets.

Teams from Jama Masjid and Daryaganj police stations conducted the operation on Sunday with the Delhi forest and wildlife department, People For Animals and World Wide Animal. Police registered an FIR at Jama Masjid police station on Monday under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Police identified five people from Kabootar Market as accused. Officers questioned them about the animals’ alleged source, procurement, transport and sale, and are tracing the supply chain.