Notice issued to surrender wild animal pets and trophies in Goa

PANAJI: The chief wildlife warden has issued a public notice to those keeping wild animals in activity or any wild animal articles to surrender them to the forest department.

The notice was published in a section of the media on October 16, 2013 by the principal chief conservator of forests in his capacity as chief wildlife warden, allowing a month’s time for the public to comply with the circular.

The chief wildlife warden has informed the public that as per the wildlife (protection) act 1972 and declaration of wildlife stock rules 2003, they have to surrender any wild animals in captivity or wild animal articles like skin, shells, trophies in their possession, as specified in any of the schedules of the act.

“Many families keep wild animals specified in the schedules of the act in captivity,” a source said. The department had raided many houses and rescued wild animals, such as birds, crocodiles and other animals in the past.

Those keeping wild animals or articles have been requested to surrender the scheduled wild animals at the forest department’s rescue facilities at Bondla, Campal in Panaji, Margao and Hathipaul, Canacona.

They have to produce the recent certificate of medical fitness of the captive animals from registered veterinary doctors.