• Assam: 52 exotic birds and animals rescued in Hailakandi, 2 smugglers arrested

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    Assam: 52 exotic birds and animals rescued in Hailakandi, 2 smugglers arrested
    The people who were arrested admitted that they obtained the shipment in Mizoram and intended to move the unusual animals to West Bengal......


    Digital desk: 52 exotic birds and animals were rescued on Friday in the Hailakandi district, close to the Mizoram border, by the Assam Police working with the Forest Department.

    The animals and birds that were saved included hornbills, which are assumed to be of Indonesian origin, Babirusa swine, Red and Blue Lories, and Black Lories.

    Authorities successfully conducted an operation in the Bilaspur region on Friday morning. Shamirdapar Baruah, the Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Hailakandi, stated, "We were able to rescue the animals based on specific information." Throughout the operation, two smugglers were also captured. 

    "The people who were arrested admitted that they obtained the shipment in Mizoram and intended to move the unusual animals to West Bengal for commercial purposes," Baruah stated.

    The two smugglers who were detained were identified as Moinuddin Ali and Samsul Haque, both of whom lived in the Hojai region of Assam. 

    Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Hailakandi Akhil Dutta stated, "Based on preliminary investigations, it appears that these exotic creatures were probably transported through Myanmar before entering India through Mizoram."

    Dutta further stated that because of the birds' natural habitat, investigators believe the shipment originated in Indonesia. 

    The animals that were saved are being held in a secure area and will eventually be sent to the Assam Zoo in Guwahati. Investigations are still being conducted.