52 smuggled Indonesian birds and animals rescued in Assam, 2 arrested

The seizure was made near the Assam-Mizoram border in Hailakandi

Hailakandi, Assam:

Assam police and forest department officials today rescued 52 smuggled Indonesian birds and animals in a joint operation. The rescued birds and animals include black, red and blue parrots, babirusa pigs and hornbills.

The seizure was carried out near the Assam-Mizoram border in Hailakandi, during which police arrested two smugglers.

According to forest officials, of the 52 animals rescued, 42 were red and blue parrots, six black parrots, two hornbills and a babirusa (Indonesian pig).

According to officials from Bhilaipur police station, the arrested persons have been identified as Muinuddin Ali and Samsur Haq. Both are residents of Hojai district in Assam.

At least eight rare animals, including a black macaque and gorilla, were rescued on Monday in Assam’s Cachar district in September last year, police sources said.

The rescued animals, suspected to have been smuggled from Myanmar, including two Panamanian white-faced capuchins, a rare monkey, two common possums, four black gorillas and a black macaque, have been handed over to forest department officials.

In April 2023, seven spider monkeys and two black-and-white collared lemurs were rescued from a vehicle near the Assam-Mizoram border.