Man fined 2L for exhibiting exotic animals

Hyderabad: Forest officials have slapped a fine of 2 lakh on an individual, Bharat Reddy, for exhibiting several exotic animals at a fare in KPHB. The accused was having animals like bell python, iguana and several exotic birds. However, the animals were not seized by the officials.“A case has been booked against the individual under Section 51, 54 and 49 ME of the Wildlife Protection Act. The person was booked for exhibiting such animals in public,” forest range officer, Dulapally, Laxman Rao said. The forest officials acted on a tip-off from Gautham of Stray Animal Foundation of India, an NGO. “We want to know where these exotic animals are kept? They must be shifted to zoo,” he added. tnn