A Barn owl which is protected under the Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972 and had fallen prey to wildlife trafficking was saved due to the diligent efforts of the Gujarat Forest Department in collaboration with Gujarat Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Unit. The operation took place at Kaprada village, 220 kilometres from Vadodara.
Like most animals who are victims of trafficking, barn owls are traded due to superstitions and irrational rituals. They are used for occult practices and ritualistic sacrifices, in the hope for bringing in good luck and wealth. Such beliefs have no logical basis and are completely unscientific.
The successful rescue operation required months of surveillance and intel gathering by the Wildlife SOS-GSPCA team. Along with the officials of the Forest Department, the NGO posed as potential buyers to lure out the traffickers in possession of the owl. With the location of the perpetrators identified, an undercover operation was launched to nab them.
Two perpetrators were arrested and the matter is being investigated further. With a case filed against them under the WLPA, the duo, if convicted, could be jailed for up to 7 years.
The Forest Officer of GFD, Ankit talking about the operation said: “The offenders originally belonged to another village from where they brought the owl. Usually, these traffickers keep changing their location and we had to wait for at least two days to catch them. Two persons have been arrested and a case has been registered against them.”
Barn owl or Tyto alba is a widely distributed species which is found in the Indian subcontinent. Known as farmers’ friend, it keeps the rodent population in check as it feeds on them, besides small mammals and birds.
