Patiala Monkeys.

[Guest guest]

 

Maneka Comes to the Rescue of Simians

 

Former union Minister, Noted Environmentalist and member

Parliament Ms Maneka Gandhi has come forward to save the “Naughty Monkeys” from

so called Monkey Jail at deer Park, Patiala. Plight of these Rhesus Macaques was

highlighted in national and International Media and Lot of hue and cry was made

by various animals saving groups. The monkeys have been now relocated at Hanuman

Vatika (Rescue Centre) maintained by People For Animals, which is headed by

Maneka herself, at national level.

 

Maneka sent a team Headed by Dr.Sandeep K.Jain, President

People For Animals Ludhiana and ex-Member Animal Welfare Board of India, to look

out the fate of these Monkeys captured and put behind bars from various parts of

State. These were usually those who come to urban areas and have become

ferocious due to one or another reasons. There were twelve monkeys at that time.

These were kept in two enclosures at Deer Park Patiala Bir. The monkeys had

become even more ferocious because of the Congested space. This corner was

declared the Dangerous Zone.The Sanitary condition was very bad, the enclosures

were full of filth and were stenching. The conditions and guidelines laid by CZA

were openly violated. On Getting the report, Ms Gandhi contacted the Principal

Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden Punjab, Mr.A S Dogra and

asked them to shift them to Congenial environment and Suggested them to shift to

the newly set up Hanuman Vatika, which is exclusively Monkey Rescue centre,

especially built for the Monkeys rescued from Laboratories.Naturally he agreed

to the suggestion because everyone was willing to get rid of these spoiled

brats.

 

An arrangement was extended to

rehabilitate these twelve Monkeys and two enclosures were Built to accommodate

the new Guests,at Village Sultanpur in Gurgaon Distt. told Ms.Rita Singh,

incharge of Hanuman Vatika.It is inhabiting about seventy Monkeys now.

 

As these are protected under Schedule

II of wildlife Protection act and are part of Zoo these can not be sent to

another place without the permission of Central Zoo Authority, under Ministry of

Environment and Forests.Maneka also took initiative to talk to Dr.B.K.Sharma,

Member Secretary, CZA to take quick action on the request made by PFA

Ludhiana.The orders came on 28th evening to PCCF cum Chief wildlife Warden,

Punjab allowing the shift under section38l of Wildlife protection Act

1972(Amended 2003).

 

On 31st January, The Director ChattBir

Zoo and Divisional Forest Officer (WL) Patiala were instructed to make

arrangement of cages transportation and veterinary care before and during

transportation.arrangements were also made to tranquilize the animals if needed.

The first batch consisting of

18 monkeys was loaded and transported at the night of Ist February and reached

yesterday without any trouble. However the authorities have taken only twelve

monkeys as they have information of the same Number and they have made the

arrangements accordingly.

Six monkeys came back to Patiala, and will

be joining their pals after getting a nod from Hanuman Vatika.

 

for People For Animals Ludhiana

 

(Ajay Jain)

General Secretary