Over the past year, numerous cases of Exotic Pets India Trade seizures have been reported by various enforcement bodies throughout northeast India. With a stringent ban in place against the trading of native Indian species, smugglers have pivoted towards the illicit trade of exotic animals. This shift has resulted in significant adverse global environmental impacts. The smuggled animals typically originate from Southeast Asia and Europe before being transported to major cities across India.
The trade of exotic animals presents significant health risks, particularly the potential for zoonotic disease outbreaks, a concern that has been heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, these animals may disrupt local ecosystems as they can become invasive species, altering the natural faunal patterns.
On March 16, shortly before the Assam elections, officers conducting routine inspections at the Ghiladhari checkpoint in Golaghat district made an unexpected discovery. Upon stopping a private vehicle, they found it carrying several exotic species—macaws, silvery marmosets, and golden-headed tamarins, typically native to the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.
The incident was escalated to the forest department, which in turn handed the case over to the customs department due to the foreign nature of the animals. Subsequently, the animals were transferred to the Assam State Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Guwahati. A customs official in Golaghat reported the arrest of three individuals: the main suspect from Tamil Nadu and two drivers from Manipur, who admitted to acquiring the animals from the Ima market in Imphal with plans to transport them to Chennai. It is suspected that these animals were smuggled into India across the Myanmar border at Moreh.
Over the past year, there have been several incidents where enforcement agencies in northeast India have intercepted and seized exotic animals. Notably, on February 19, Assam Rifles and Customs officials rescued 80 exotic creatures, including uncommon species such as leopard tortoises, red-footed tortoises, variously colored iguanas, bearded dragons, and an albino iguana near the Friendship Bridge over the Tayo River by the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram’s Champai district. Additionally, on January 27, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) saved 30 exotic birds and a red-eared guenon, a primate native to Africa, in Vairengte, a border town between Mizoram and Assam in Kolasib district.
In a significant operation in July of the previous year, authorities confiscated a diverse group of exotic animals in Lailapur, a small town on the Assam-Mizoram border within Cachar district. The seized animals included a kangaroo native to Australia, six hyacinth (blue) macaws and two capuchin monkeys from South America, and three Aldabra tortoises originating from the Seychelles Islands.
The demand for exotic species in India has seen a noticeable rise over the years, as highlighted in the “Smuggling in India Report 2019-2020” by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). The report noted a troubling increase in the smuggling of endangered and Exotic Pets India from various parts of the world. With a stringent ban on the trade of native Indian species, smugglers have turned their focus to exotic species, resulting in severe global environmental impacts. These illicit activities utilize extensive international borders and air routes to import animals from places like Bangkok, Malaysia, other Southeast Asian tourist spots, and Europe. These consignments are then distributed to major Indian cities such as Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Kochi.
Saket Badola, the country head of TRAFFIC India, a wildlife trade monitoring network, emphasized to Mongabay-India that the smuggling of exotic animals into India is not a recent phenomenon. He pointed out that India is gradually becoming a significant market for exotic animals. Individuals with disposable income often purchase these animals either for entertainment or to enhance their private collections. Since the trade of many desired species is regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the majority of these animals are acquired through illegal means.
Wildlife crime investigator Rahul Dutta noted that there has been an increase in the activity of enforcement agencies against wildlife crime, leading to more frequent seizures. He attributes this to a sustained effort over time that is beginning to show positive outcomes. However, Dutta also highlighted the substantial demand within India for these animals. He pointed out that places like Crawford Market in Mumbai are infamous for the trade in exotic species. Additionally, he mentioned that new developments are emerging, such as large farms in locations like Pune, where exotic species are now being bred.
Government Advisory Catalyzes a Rise in Exotic Pets India Trade Enforcement Seizures
In response to the expanding unregulated market of exotic animals within the nation, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) issued an advisory last year. This directive focuses on several key areas: the declaration of existing stock of exotic live species (those listed under Appendix I, II, and III of CITES), the import of new exotic live species, the registration of offspring from previously held stocks, and the guidelines for transferring or transporting such stock within India.
A recent IndiaSpend report highlighted that by February 2021, 32,645 Indians had registered their exotic animals. Originally, there was a six-month period, ending on December 15, 2020, during which owners could voluntarily declare their exotic pets. This deadline was subsequently extended to March 15, 2021, to accommodate further registrations.
Agni Mitra, Regional Deputy Director (East) of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), explained to Mongabay-India that the recent increase in seizures of exotic animals in northeast India is linked to an advisory from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). Mitra noted that previously, there was a noticeable influx of exotic animals into India, particularly through the borders of Meghalaya, Assam, and West Bengal from Bangladesh. The MoEF&CC’s advisory effectively provided an amnesty period during which owners of exotic pets could register their animals without having complete documentation, with no questions asked. This led to a rush in acquiring CITES-listed animals and birds, resulting in a significant rise in seizures not only in Northeast India but also in West Bengal. Going forward, individuals acquiring exotic species will need to provide valid documentation to do so legally.
Route Surveillance Initiatives For Exotic Pets India Trade
Over the past year, the majority of exotic animal seizures in northeast India have occurred in Mizoram. Given Mizoram’s strategic location, sharing borders with both Bangladesh and Myanmar, it is believed that these consignments are being smuggled into the region through one of these neighboring countries.
Sunnydeo Choudhury, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Cachar, who led the operation in Lailapur last July where several live animals, including kangaroos, macaws, and Aldabra tortoises, were rescued, stated, “In that case, we arrested two individuals—the driver and the helper of the truck transporting the animals. During questioning, they revealed that they had picked up the consignment in Mizoram but were unaware of its origins beyond that point. Among the seized items, we found products like soaps from Myanmar and Thailand. This suggests that the animals could have come from those countries, but we currently lack concrete evidence to confirm their exact source.”
Dutta noted that the smuggling routes for exotic animals might have shifted following the COVID-19 pandemic. “Exotic animals primarily enter India through the Indo-Bangladesh border in Assam and Meghalaya. However, post-COVID-19, border checks along the Bangladesh border have become more stringent, increasing the likelihood of seizures and causing delays. Traders are eager for their shipments to reach their destinations quickly, as these are live animals, and any delay that leads to the animals’ deaths would result in financial loss. Therefore, smugglers might be opting for a new route through Myanmar instead.”
Myanmar is currently experiencing significant turmoil following a military coup that ousted its democratically elected government. Badola emphasized the importance of enforcement agencies closely monitoring the situation in Myanmar. “In northeast India, Myanmar is currently the most prominent smuggling route, although other routes, such as those through Nepal and Bangladesh, also exist. Given the current conditions in Myanmar, wildlife law enforcement agencies should maintain heightened vigilance along the border areas. The ongoing situation could either disrupt or increase illegal wildlife trade through Myanmar. If smuggling activity decreases along this route, it’s crucial to step up surveillance on alternative routes, as smugglers are likely to shift operations to other locations when faced with challenges,” he explained.
Legal Loopholes Supporting Exotic Pets India Trade
The two individuals arrested in Cachar last year after rare animals such as kangaroos, macaws, and Aldabra tortoises were seized from their truck were later granted bail by the Gauhati High Court. The court noted that “since the seized animals are not covered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, detaining the petitioners under this act is not permissible. As the only charges against the petitioners are under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the court believes they are entitled to bail in this case unless they are wanted in connection with any other charges.”
In India, there is a legal gap because the trade of exotic animals is not covered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This loophole often complicates the prosecution of individuals involved in the illegal trade of exotic species.
Exotic Pets India Trade: Risks Posed by Exotic Species
The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened global awareness about the dangers of zoonotic diseases. With the majority of exotic animal trade occurring illegally, there is a constant risk that these animals could carry and spread potential viruses, posing significant health threats.
Highlighting the dangers associated with the trade of exotic species, Badola explained, “There are two major threats posed by exotic species. First, there is the potential for zoonotic disease outbreaks. Since these animals are brought into India illegally, they bypass quarantine and hygiene protocols, increasing the risk of becoming the source of a new zoonotic disease. Second, if these animals escape or are intentionally released, they can disrupt the local ecosystem. For instance, red-eared slider turtles, a species native to America, are kept in large numbers in India. These turtles have populated Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh and are believed to negatively impact native species, similar to the way invasive plants like lantana disrupt local habitats.”
Final Stopover
The animals seized in Cachar last year, along with those confiscated in Golaghat last month, are currently being kept at the Assam State Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Guwahati. However, the duration of their stay at the zoo remains uncertain, as no specific timeline has been established for their future arrangements.
Tejas Matiswamy, DFO of Assam State Zoo, clarified that the zoo is currently serving as a temporary caretaker for the rescued animals. He noted, “It’s hard to determine how long these animals will remain here, as we cannot release them without confirming their origin. This is a legal process, and it will require some time to resolve.”
One of the main challenges in dealing with rescued animals is determining their country of origin, especially when the species is native to multiple regions. Even if the origin is identified, the process of repatriating the animals to their native country is often complex and cumbersome.
Mitra explained, “According to CITES, the source country is responsible for taking back the animal and covering the transportation costs. However, many of these seized animals are bred on farms. For instance, if a kangaroo is confiscated in India, it doesn’t necessarily mean it came from Australia; it’s more likely to have been bred on a farm in a Southeast Asian country. These farm-bred animals might also be genetically mixed, making their original countries less willing to take them back, especially in the post-COVID-19 context. Additionally, if the source country lacks economic resources, they might be reluctant to bear the financial burden. As a result, these animals may end up spending the rest of their lives in a zoo.”
