On 28 August 2024, the last date of declaring exotic animals kept as pets has passed. The government, ceding to wildlife enthusiasts and animal rights activists, plans crackdown on a growing number of people who nurse a strange desire to cage, leash or chain creatures that catch their fancy.

It appears the government means business. It has notified Living Animal Species Reporting and Registration Rules, 2024 on 28th February this year and gave six months time for offenders to fall in line. The government has also given an opportunity to offenders to register  these exotic animal species on Parivesh 2.0 portal.

Many living specimens of exotic animal species listed in Wild Life Protection Act 1972 are in possession of various individuals besides zoos. These living specimens of exotic animals listed under Schedule IV of the Act are to be reported and registered by the concerned individuals, organizations and zoos.

As per rules, every person who is in possession of any living specimen of species listed in Schedule IV of the Wild Life Act, is required to report the details of such animals and submit an application for registration through the portal to the Chief Wild Life Warden of the concerned State, within a period of six months from the issue of notification and or within thirty days of possession.

The government has warned that the six-month period has expired. It may not be too late to report such possessions, still, to the concerned to avoid any penal actions for non-compliance. It remains to be seen how many get punished. Repeat offenders must be named and shamed, and should be put on probation.

Despite strict wildlife protection laws, many in India continue to acquire and keep exotic animals as pets. This illegal activity not only threatens the survival of these species but also subject them to cruelty, robbing them of the natural freedom to live among their types, procreate and raise their families. They can not express themselves in our language, complain and seek help.

In South India, exotic squirrels called Slender Loris, are hunted for their eyes. They are found naturally in southern part of India, even in cities also. Harmless and nocturnal, spend most life on trees.

In recent years, the desire for possessing unique and exotic pets is catching up among affluent Indians. Birds, reptiles, and small mammals from distant lands are often seen as status symbols. According to the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau there has been a 70% increase in cases related to the illegal trade of exotic species between 2015 and 2023. That is only the tip of the iceberg.

In 2022, a major operation in Tamil Nadu led to the seizure of over 500 exotic animals, which included rare tortoises, birds, and primates, valued at over Rs.10 crore. In another instance, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence intercepted a gang of wildlife smugglers in West Bengal, and confiscated over 1,000 exotic birds, including macaws and cockatoos, being taken to a black market.

The conditions in which these animals are kept are often of unspeakable sufferings held as captives. Deprived of their natural habitat, they  suffer stress, disease and health disorder. Certain birds are known to pluck their own feather in frustration and helplessness and bleed themselves when they are unable to free themselves and join their ilk. Large parrots are known to develop psychological disorders due to confinement and lack of social interaction. Birds, especially those accustomed to flying long distances, can develop muscle atrophy and respiratory problems when confined to small cages.

Reptiles require specific temperatures and humidity levels to survive. When kept as pets, they are often housed in inappropriate conditions, leading to skin infections, respiratory issues, and even death. They require specific environmental conditions to thrive. Deprivation of these conditions can lead to metabolic bone disease, a painful condition caused by a lack of calcium and UV light. In the wild, reptiles bask in the sun to regulate their body temperature and absorb essential UV rays.

In one case, a Bengal Monitor Lizard found in a Mumbai apartment, was kept in a small cage with inadequate food and water, was severely dehydrated and malnourished. Despite efforts to rehabilitate it after freeing it, the animal died due to prolonged deprivation.

Primates, which are highly social animals, suffer immensely when isolated in captivity. They develop severe behavioural disorders, which include self-harm, aggression, and depression. These are cruelties inflicted in homes.

Human cruelty knows no bounds. Tokay Gecko, a lizard native to Northeast India, and poachers gouge their eyes, which are believed to have medicinal properties in traditional Asian medicine. Today Tokay Geckos face a sharp decline and are on the brink of extinction.

Reality is the enforcement agencies like the WCCB and DRI are often under-resourced and face challenges in tracking and intercepting illegal shipments. Therefore, the penalties for violations though severe on paper, do not get enforced. In light of recent announcement, government must crackdown on people with strange and perverse desire on keeping other fellow creatures as captives, just for hobby sake. No living being captures other living being to hold as captive. Human is the only animal with that kink, which must be cured with full force of law. And confinement in a prison must be essential part of punishment.