Mumbai: Two monkeys, being forced to beg, rescued
In India, animals are used for various purposes - from transporting goods, entertaining us to even begging. They are subjected to abject cruelty but some are lucky to get rescued, like these two monkeys, who were saved by activists and cops from Dadar station in Mumbai. They were being forced to beg for money by two women-handlers, who have now been arrested.
Monkeys sent to Mumbai range forest office for rehabilitation
Activists from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, Mumbai Police and officials from Maharashtra Forest Department got together for this rescue operation. The rhesus macaques, which are protected species under Section II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, have been sent to Mumbai range forest office. They will get rehabilitated there and will be released in the wild later, said officials.
'Smart, social monkeys shouldn't be under the command of people'
Deepak Chaudhary of PETA India said animals shouldn't be exploited like this. "Smart, social monkeys should be in the wild, not under the command of people," he said. Many a times we see how monkeys are made to dance or perform tricks on the streets. No matter how pretty they look, in reality, they lead a pathetic life in captivity, added Chaudhary.
These animals are kidnapped by poachers from forest fringes
Many residents in Navi Mumbai and Thane have complained to animal rights group about exploitation of monkeys and other animals by their handlers. City based wildlife guardian Sunish Subramanian confirmed receiving many such complaints. "Often, the animals are 'kidnapped' by poachers from forest fringes like at Karnala bird sanctuary or near the highway at Lonavala-Khandala. Tough action should be taken against them," he emphasized.
