Pesquet’s Parrot stolen from zoo in Aizawl

Aizawl: Pesquet’s Parrot, a smuggled exotic bird that had been kept at the Aizawl Zoological Park at Sakawrtuichhun, has been stolen, zoo authorities said on Wednesday.The Pesquet’s Parrot had been kept at the zoo since Feb last year. Its disappearance was discovered around 8.30 am on Wednesday. Officials believe the theft occurred between 4pm on Tuesday and 7am the next day.Deputy conservator of forests, Aizawl Wildlife Division, said a complaint has been lodged at Sairang Police Station, while the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), Kolkata, has also been immediately informed.Officials said a departmental inquiry is underway, as the possibility of insider involvement cannot be ruled out. A cash reward of Rs 20,000 has been announced for anyone providing information leading to the arrest of the culprit.Mizoram has increasingly become a conduit not just for drugs and arms but also for the trafficking of exotic animals. Situated along a porous border with Myanmar, the state has seen multiple large-scale seizures of illegal wildlife consignments.The theft from the zoo emphasises the broader challenge of protecting rare species within the state, and authorities are calling for tighter security, improved tracking of rescued animals and stronger cross-border cooperation to curb the trafficking of exotic wildlife.