Mumbai: Pigeon used as bait in trap to lure kite, both birds rescued

MUMBAI: Animal rights activists with fire brigade personnel rescued a pariah kite and a pigeon from an illegal trap that was set up in Virar (W) by unidentified people.

"On Tuesday, I was informed by a local, Amit Das, that some youngsters had set up a trap with nylon netting and a live pigeon as a bait, in order to catch bigger birds like eagles and kites.

I rushed there along with the Vasai-Virar fire brigade officials and rescued the pigeon and a pariah kite which was trapped," said honorary district animal welfare officer, Mitesh Jain. He added that some of the youngsters who had set the trap fled after seeing the officials approach.

Jain set up a local team of volunteers to keep an eye out for such incidents around the area, and nab the offenders. "Apparently, in the past young poachers have also trapped other big birds like eagles in the same way. We informed Arnala police on Wednesday evening for further action," added Jain.

Another local said, "The youngsters would use jute sacks to carry the trapped birds. Such illegal and cruel acts must be stopped and the offenders should be booked."

Honorary wildlife warden of the state forest department, S Subramanian, said, "It appears to be a case of poaching wildlife birds for either consumption or illegal sale. This is a serious issue and must be properly investigated by authorities." He said in the past there have been poaching cases of wetland birds like flamingoes in and around the city.