Transfer of 11 Exotic Animals to Vandalur Zoo Delayed by Court Order

The transfer of 11 undocumented exotic animals from an Erode farmhouse to the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur was put on hold on Tuesday after a local magistrate court declined to immediately grant permission for their seizure.

Forest officials who inspected the premises owned by S K Kesavanathan found seven servals, two Lar gibbons, and two tufted capuchins kept in enclosures without any mandatory licence. Kesavanathan, who is accused of trafficking Lar gibbons from Manipur, could not provide documents showing that the animals were legally procured from a pet shop or trader.

Erode District Forest Officer Kumili Appala Naidu stated that gibbons are arboreal primates requiring large tree canopies to swing and move between trees. However, at the farmhouse, the animals were confined to a small enclosure that prevented free movement.

Following the inspection, forest officials approached the district court on Monday to secure permission to confiscate the exotic wildlife. On Tuesday, the magistrate directed that Kesavanathan must be produced in person before Thursday before the department can be permitted to take formal possession of the animals.

According to the DFO, Kesavanathan initially agreed to pay a penalty for the wildlife trafficking violations shortly after the raid. However, he subsequently went absconding, and authorities are currently working to trace his whereabouts.

The forest department had made arrangements to shift the confiscated animals to the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur for rehabilitation and care once seized. Wildlife officials noted that the requirement to produce the absconding owner in court is now likely to cause further delays in moving the animals.

An investigation remains underway to establish how the exotic species were smuggled into Tamil Nadu and to identify whether additional individuals are involved in the trafficking network.