Keywords:
Peacock feathers
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NMMC
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Rabale
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RAWW
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national bird
Vijay Singh
NAVI MUMBAI: A peacock and a peahen which were spotted by the public at Rabale-MIDC area on Monday evening were rescued by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Most of the tail feathers of the male bird and some plumage of the female appeared to be pulled out, pointing towards an illegal trade of peacock feathers.
An NMMC veterinary official told TOI: ``We have kept the rescued birds at our cattle pound in Vashi, and have also intimated the forest officials since peacock is a protected wild species."
Activist Pawan Sharma of Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) commented: ``Peacock feathers are noticed being sold in the markets and also at railway stations. However, since it is not easy to prove if the feathers were deliberately pulled out of a peacock or naturally shed, it becomes difficult to book the offenders. We feel that there should be a tougher law in this regard in order to save our national bird from cruel poachers."
Navi Mumbai based activist Anarjit Chauhan added: ``Nature has endowed the majestic peacock bird with such a lovely set of feathers. Often, poachers hunt them for their plumage or breed them for the same purpose. In the current rescue of the birds, it is shocking to see that all the tail feathers of the peacock are missing."
Chauhan added that during the festive season, peacock feathers are in demand for decorating homes. Also, peacock feathers are openly sold on e-commerce sites for global online trading.
In many fashion magazines, international models are also seen sporting peacock feathers. However, several animal rights groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have spread awareness through campaigns against the cruel trading of animal body parts including fur, feathers, skin, claws and teeth among others.
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